Ochre-striped Cardinalfish, also known as the Blue-eyed Cardinalfish or Split Banded Cardinalfish, is a marine fish found in the Indo-West Pacific.
Its scientific name is Apogon compressus, and it belongs to the Apogonidae family. This fish sometimes appears in aquariums.
You can find Ochre-striped Cardinalfish in small groups near branching coral mounds like Porites cylindrica or P. nigrescens. It’s active during the night.
This fish has been successfully bred in captivity. It’s also safe for reef aquariums.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish Interesting Facts
- Ochre-striped Cardinalfish thrive in tropical waters near coral reefs at depths of 6 to 65 feet.
- They grow up to 3.3 inches (8.5 centimeters) long and have distinctive blue eyes, white or pinkish coloration with red-brown stripes.
- These fish are mouthbrooders, carrying their eggs in their mouths for protection during reproduction.
- While young, they mimic large-toothed Cheilodipterus species to avoid being bothered by other fish.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish Habitat
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish is found in areas from Malaysia to Palau, Micronesia, and the Solomon Islands.
This fish also lives around the Ryukyu Islands and extends down to the Great Barrier Reef.
It prefers marine environments near coral reefs at depths of 2 to 20 meters (6 to 65 feet).
Ochre-striped cardinalfish thrives in tropical waters between 30°N to 24°S latitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.3 inches (8.5 centimeters)
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish grow up to a maximum length of 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters) long.
But it’s usually found around 3.3 inches (8.5 centimeters) long. This fish has 8 dorsal spines, 9 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 9 anal soft rays.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish is white or pinkish in color with about six red-brown stripes on the side.
There are also 3 to 4 dark spots at the base of their tail fin, and the eyes have a shiny blue color.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish has a yellow tail area with a black spot in the center when it’s small and young.
This makes it look like large-toothed Cheilodipterus species which allows the fish to swim more freely without being bothered by other fish.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish Reproduction
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish are mouthbrooders, which means they carry their eggs in their mouths for protection.
During mating and egg-laying, they form distinct pairs.
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Kurtiformes |
| Family: | Apogonidae |
| Genus: | Ostorhinchus |
| Scientific Name: | Apogon compressus |
| Also Known As: | Ochre-striped Cardinalfish, Blue-eyed Cardinalfish, Split Banded Cardinalfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |