Red spot cardinalfish

6Scientific name: Ostorhinchus parvulus

6Pronunciation: Oss-tow-rinch-uss par-vule-uss

6Distribution: Western Pacific from western, eastern and southern

Indonesia to southern Japan.

6Maximum length: 4cm Typically found inhabiting coral heads in schools numbering several hundred individuals. This species is less regularly encountered than it was ten or so years ago, when its arrival in the hobby heralded a number of aquarists embracing it as the long sought after shoaling species of minimal size potential for the marine aquarium. However, it soon became apparent that this species demands the highest quality, stable water conditions found in mature, coral rich reef aquaria. Feeding can also provide a challenge with this species; peaceful aquaria are best for reducing competition for the small meaty foods that it prefers. The widespread availability of frozen marine copepods in the hobby may increase the chances of success with this attractive species.