{"product_id":"pajama-cardinalfish-sphaeramia-nematoptera-saltwater","title":"Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F2F5;border-left:4px solid #0B7285;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 10px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh out of quarantine.\u003c\/strong\u003e These just cleared our in-store QT: observed, treated preventatively, and eating prepared food before they hit the sales floor.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\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 \u003cstrong\u003ePajama Cardinalfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSphaeramia nematoptera\u003c\/em\u003e) looks like three different fish stitched together and somehow works: a yellow face with a huge red eye, a hard black bar across the middle, and a rear half scattered with rust-red polka dots on silver. It hovers rather than swims, moves slowly and deliberately, and is one of the calmest fish you can put in a reef. It is also one of the very few marine fish that genuinely does better in a group. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a beginner reef it is close to ideal: hardy, undemanding, cheap enough to buy several, completely coral safe, and small enough for a 30 gallon. The one thing to understand before you buy is how slowly it eats, which is covered below.\u003c\/p\u003e\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 and up for a small group. They barely swim, so rockwork and open hovering space matter more than length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuy a group:\u003c\/strong\u003e three or more, added at the same time. They shoal naturally and a lone Pajama tends to hide. Groups spread out during the day and cluster together at night, which is half the appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding, the important part:\u003c\/strong\u003e they are slow, deliberate feeders and will lose out to fast, greedy tankmates. Target feed with frozen mysis and enriched brine, and make sure food reaches them rather than being inhaled at the surface. This is the single most common reason a Pajama fails in an otherwise fine tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful to the point of passive. They will not bother anything, including corals, clams, or ornamental shrimp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Hardy and forgiving of ordinary reef conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting and flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e they prefer moderate light and calm areas. Give them a low-flow pocket in the rockwork to hover in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e mouthbrooders. The male carries the eggs in his mouth and will not eat while brooding. They spawn readily in a settled tank, which makes them a good first project for anyone wanting to try marine breeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\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;\"\u003ePajama Cardinalfish, Spotted Cardinalfish, Coral Cardinalfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSphaeramia nematoptera\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\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eApogonidae (cardinalfish)\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;\"\u003eWestern Pacific\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;\"\u003eBeginner\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\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeep in groups\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, three or more added together\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\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, slow deliberate feeder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMale mouthbrooder, spawns in the aquarium\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal alongside other calm reef fish: clownfish such as our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/wyoming-white-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eWyoming White\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003efirefish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bluestripe-neon-goby-elacatinus-oceanops-saltwater\"\u003eneon gobies\u003c\/a\u003e, and its cousins the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/longspine-cardinal-pristiapogon-kallopterus-saltwater\"\u003eLongspine Cardinal\u003c\/a\u003e. Safe with every invert and coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe real risk is not aggression, it is competition. Avoid fast, food-motivated tankmates like larger wrasses, aggressive damsels, and anthias that will clear the water column before a Pajama has decided to move. Also skip anything big enough to eat a three-inch fish: lionfish, groupers, large hawkfish, and triggers.\u003c\/p\u003e\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-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple they take most reliably\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pe-pellets-saltwater-1mm-2oz\"\u003ePiscine Energetics 1 mm Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e once they are settled on prepared food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dinkins-tigriopus-copepods-live-reef-pods\"\u003eLive Tigriopus Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e to coax a shy new arrival into feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection for tankmates and reef supplies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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\u003eWhat does \"fresh out of QT\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery fish we bring in spends time in our in-store quarantine system before it reaches the sales floor. We watch it, treat preventatively, and confirm it is eating prepared food. These just graduated, so they are settled and feeding rather than straight off a shipping box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree or more, bought at once. They are shoaling fish and a single one usually hides in the rockwork instead of hovering out front where you can enjoy it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMine is not eating. What now?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost always competition rather than illness. Target feed with frozen mysis using a turkey baster, feed after lights dim when the faster fish settle, and try live copepods to trigger interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. It will not touch corals, clams, or ornamental shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it hardly moving?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is normal. Pajamas hover in place for long stretches and become more active at dawn and dusk. Sluggishness is their personality, not a health problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I breed them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQuite possibly. Males brood eggs in their mouth and pairs spawn readily in a settled tank. Rearing the fry takes live food and a separate tank, but getting them to spawn is the easy part.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48070931906779,"sku":"48070931906779","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/20c6a824-2a5e-4558-94bb-47d49602450e.png?v=1785931064","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pajama-cardinalfish-sphaeramia-nematoptera-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}