Ruby Flame Cardinal
Fowleria flammea
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
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Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 2 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Ruby Flame Cardinal (Fowleria flammea), also known as the Red Stoplight Cardinalfish, is a small cardinalfish with a deep red body and large, reflective eyes. It comes from Western Pacific reef habitats, where it spends time close to coral and rock structure and becomes more active as lighting dims.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering in the water column near ledges and overhangs rather than staying on the sand
- More visible movement in the evening, with steady, unhurried swimming
- Quick, accurate feeding on small foods drifting in the current
- Loose grouping behavior when kept with other peaceful, similar-sized fish
- Occasional mouthbrooding behavior in mature fish, where a male carries eggs for about a week
Provide rockwork with shaded pockets and calm “hangout” zones so it can choose its preferred perch. Feed a mix of small meaty planktonic foods (like finely chopped mysis, calanus, cyclops, and enriched brine) so it can grab bites throughout the water column. With consistent feeding and a stable reef setup, it settles into a reliable, low-drama daily routine.
Do Ruby Flame Cardinals “school,” or do they break up into pairs?
In aquariums they often form loose groups rather than a tight school, and mature fish may pair off while still staying near the same general rockwork zone.
Why does one look like it has a “full mouth” and keeps its jaw working?
Mature males can mouthbrood eggs; during that period the jawline can look fuller and the fish may focus on staying tucked near structure until the brood is released.
Is it normal for this fish to disappear for parts of the day?
Yes—many keepers notice the most activity in the evening and under lower lighting, with daytime hovering closer to caves, overhangs, or shaded corners.
Can I keep it with larger wrasses or other fast swimmers?
It does best when tankmates are not large enough to view a 1–2 inch cardinal as prey and when the community feeding style leaves plenty of suspended food available.
How can I make sure it gets fed in a busy reef tank?
Use smaller foods that stay suspended, and consider briefly reducing flow or using a baster to release food near its preferred perch so it can feed without needing to chase.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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