{"product_id":"longspine-cardinal-pristiapogon-kallopterus-saltwater","title":"Longspine Cardinal (Pristiapogon kallopterus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Longspine Cardinalfish (\u003cem\u003ePristiapogon kallopterus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a peaceful, reef-safe nano schooling fish with a silvery body, a dark lateral stripe through the eye, and the namesake long first dorsal-fin spine. Cardinals are mouth-brooders and crepuscular, so they tend to drift quietly under overhangs by day and come out to hunt small prey at dawn and dusk. Pair them with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e in a calm community reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongspines look their best in small groups of three to five — they school loosely above the rockwork and bring movement to the mid-water column without ever bullying tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons minimum for one, 55+ for a group of three to five.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore. Frozen mysis, brine, fine pellets, and live copepods. They eat small bites and prefer slow-sinking foods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding frequency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Twice daily. Soak frozen food in a vitamin enhancer to keep colors strong.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful. Will not pester other fish or invertebrates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes with all corals, clams, and invertebrates. Adult cleaner shrimp and hermits are safe; very tiny ornamental shrimp may be picked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow drip 45 minutes. Cardinals can be shy on arrival; dim lights and offer a piece of frozen food the next day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePristiapogon kallopterus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLongspine Cardinalfish, Iridescent Cardinalfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eApogonidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax adult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 4 in (10 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin tank size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons (55+ for a group)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025 SG\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs well with most peaceful reef community species: clownfish, royal grammas, firefish, small wrasses, blennies, gobies, and tangs. Avoid notably aggressive tank mates such as dottybacks, large damsels, triggers, and groupers that will out-compete a quiet cardinal at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent reef tank citizen — ignores corals, clams, snails, and shrimp. A group of three to five is the most natural and visually striking arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e — small enough for the Cardinal's modest bite.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-premium-saltwater-fish-food-pellets-2oz\"\u003eBRS Premium Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — slow-sink pellet that drifts past their hunting zone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-tigger-feast-live-tigriopus-copepods\"\u003eReef Nutrition Tigger Feast\u003c\/a\u003e — live copepods to seed the rockwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-artemia-brine-shrimp-live-nauplii\"\u003eBulldawg Live Brine Shrimp Nauplii\u003c\/a\u003e — fresh live food encourages newly arrived cardinals to start eating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003eSalt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e — keep parameters stable with a quality synthetic salt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, but a small group of three to five is far more natural and they school together attractively. Single cardinals tend to hide more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat my pods?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, light copepod grazing is normal. Run a refugium if you have a mandarin or pipefish in the same system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it hover under the rockwork all day?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCardinals are crepuscular — most active at dawn and dusk. Daytime resting under overhangs is normal, not a health concern. They come out at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it breed in the tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMany cardinals will pair up and the male mouth-broods the eggs for one to two weeks. Survival of fry in a reef tank is rare, but witnessing the brooding is a treat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48824226808027,"sku":"1135062","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_42a7b515-d38a-4778-b3c8-1cf5d8c83ff2.jpg?v=1780243471","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/longspine-cardinal-pristiapogon-kallopterus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}