Blue Eye Cardinalfish - Zoramia leptacantha
Blue Eye Cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha)
The Blue Eye Cardinalfish, Zoramia leptacantha, is a delicate, peaceful marine cardinalfish admired for its translucent silver body, bright blue eyes and graceful shoaling behaviour. Also known as the Threadfin Cardinalfish, Ghost Cardinalfish or Longspine Cardinalfish, this Indo-Pacific species is a superb choice for calm reef aquariums where a small group can hover together around rockwork and coral structure. It is reef safe, gentle and visually subtle rather than bold, making it ideal for aquarists looking for natural schooling movement in a peaceful marine display.
Common Name:
Blue Eye Cardinalfish, Blue Eyed Cardinalfish, Threadfin Cardinalfish, Ghost Cardinalfish, Longspine Cardinalfish, Bluestreak Cardinalfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Zoramia leptacantha
Formerly known as Apogon leptacanthus.
Maximum Size:
Up to around 6 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across to Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia, including Micronesia. Naturally found in shallow reef-associated habitats, lagoons, sheltered bays and coral-rich areas, often forming groups above branching corals or near protective structure.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Peaceful and timid. Best kept with other calm, reef-safe fish that will not bully it or outcompete it for food. It is a social cardinalfish and is usually more confident when kept in a small group rather than singly.
Diet:
Carnivorous zooplankton feeder. In the aquarium, offer small meaty foods such as frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, finely chopped krill and quality marine micro pellets. Small, regular feeds are best, especially when keeping a group or housing them with more active feeding fish.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 120 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for stable shoals and mixed reef communities. Although small, this species benefits from open hovering space as well as plenty of secure hiding areas.
Behaviour & Activity:
A gentle shoaling cardinalfish that often hovers in the water column near rockwork, ledges, branching coral or shaded areas. It is naturally crepuscular to nocturnal, but most settled aquarium specimens become visible and active during the day, especially in peaceful tanks. Groups provide a more natural display and help reduce nervous behaviour. Provide caves, overhangs and low-stress areas where the fish can retreat when startled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals and is well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. Avoid housing with large predatory fish, aggressive dottybacks, hawkfish, large wrasses or very boisterous tank mates that may intimidate or eat small cardinalfish.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in groups of at least three, with larger groups offering a more natural display where tank size allows. Provide shaded areas, caves, branching coral-style structure or rock overhangs for security. This species can be shy when first introduced, so avoid aggressive feeders and ensure food reaches the group. A covered aquarium is recommended, as small startled marine fish may jump. Maintain stable water quality and avoid copper-based treatments in reef systems with invertebrates.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Description
Blue Eye Cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha)
The Blue Eye Cardinalfish, Zoramia leptacantha, is a delicate, peaceful marine cardinalfish admired for its translucent silver body, bright blue eyes and graceful shoaling behaviour. Also known as the Threadfin Cardinalfish, Ghost Cardinalfish or Longspine Cardinalfish, this Indo-Pacific species is a superb choice for calm reef aquariums where a small group can hover together around rockwork and coral structure. It is reef safe, gentle and visually subtle rather than bold, making it ideal for aquarists looking for natural schooling movement in a peaceful marine display.
Common Name:
Blue Eye Cardinalfish, Blue Eyed Cardinalfish, Threadfin Cardinalfish, Ghost Cardinalfish, Longspine Cardinalfish, Bluestreak Cardinalfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Zoramia leptacantha
Formerly known as Apogon leptacanthus.
Maximum Size:
Up to around 6 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across to Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia, including Micronesia. Naturally found in shallow reef-associated habitats, lagoons, sheltered bays and coral-rich areas, often forming groups above branching corals or near protective structure.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Peaceful and timid. Best kept with other calm, reef-safe fish that will not bully it or outcompete it for food. It is a social cardinalfish and is usually more confident when kept in a small group rather than singly.
Diet:
Carnivorous zooplankton feeder. In the aquarium, offer small meaty foods such as frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, finely chopped krill and quality marine micro pellets. Small, regular feeds are best, especially when keeping a group or housing them with more active feeding fish.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 120 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for stable shoals and mixed reef communities. Although small, this species benefits from open hovering space as well as plenty of secure hiding areas.
Behaviour & Activity:
A gentle shoaling cardinalfish that often hovers in the water column near rockwork, ledges, branching coral or shaded areas. It is naturally crepuscular to nocturnal, but most settled aquarium specimens become visible and active during the day, especially in peaceful tanks. Groups provide a more natural display and help reduce nervous behaviour. Provide caves, overhangs and low-stress areas where the fish can retreat when startled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals and is well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. Avoid housing with large predatory fish, aggressive dottybacks, hawkfish, large wrasses or very boisterous tank mates that may intimidate or eat small cardinalfish.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in groups of at least three, with larger groups offering a more natural display where tank size allows. Provide shaded areas, caves, branching coral-style structure or rock overhangs for security. This species can be shy when first introduced, so avoid aggressive feeders and ensure food reaches the group. A covered aquarium is recommended, as small startled marine fish may jump. Maintain stable water quality and avoid copper-based treatments in reef systems with invertebrates.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
