Brassy Cardinal
Ostorhinchus flavus
| 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 | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 2 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Brassy Cardinal (Ostorhinchus flavus) is a small cardinalfish with a yellow-to-bronze body tone and two pale stripes that run through the eye. It’s a reef-associated species found around the Great Barrier Reef and nearby southwest Pacific locations.
What You’ll Observe:
- Spending much of the day hovering close to rock faces, ledges, and shaded overhangs
- Becoming more active in lower light periods, then easing back into cover when the tank settles
- Taking small foods from the water column with short, controlled “dart-and-stop” movements
- Holding a steady position in gentle flow and returning to the same preferred hangout areas
Provide rockwork with caves and overhangs so your Brassy Cardinal always has a defined retreat area. For best results, offer small meaty foods (like finely chopped marine meats, mysis, and other plankton-sized options) in portions it can grab easily from midwater. In larger peaceful community reefs, this species is often kept with other calm fish that won’t crowd it at feeding time.
Why is my cardinalfish not eating for a few days, even though it looks “fine” otherwise?
It’s common for new arrivals to take a short break while they settle into a routine. If the fish is holding eggs (mouthbrooding), the male may also ignore food during that period.
How can I tell if I have a male and female pair?
With many cardinalfish, clear visual sexing is subtle. A reliable clue is behavior over time—paired fish tend to stay close together, and the male mouthbroods when spawning occurs.
Is it normal for a cardinalfish to hover in one spot for long periods?
Yes. Many cardinalfish “park” near a favorite ledge or cave entrance and make short feeding runs, especially when the tank is calm.
What’s the easiest way to make sure it gets its share of food in a busy community reef?
Target a small cloud of finely sized food into its usual hover zone, or feed in two short rounds so slower midwater feeders get a second chance.
If I ever see a cardinalfish holding eggs, should I move it?
Most hobbyists leave the fish in place and keep the tank calm; moving a mouthbrooding fish can interrupt the holding behavior. If you’re trying to raise fry, planning a dedicated approach ahead of time helps.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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