Red Tail Cardinal
Apogon sp. Philippines
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 1.25 - 2.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $37.99.$19.99Current price is: $19.99. | Email me |
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
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 | Moderate |
|---|---|
| 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 Red Tail Cardinal (Apogon sp. Philippines) is a small cardinalfish with a lightly transparent body and a noticeable pink-red spot at the base of the tail, a look commonly associated with “redspot/glass” cardinalfish in the trade.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering in the midwater and along shaded rock edges rather than constant open-water cruising
- A loose shoal that tightens up when startled, then relaxes back into a spaced-out group pattern
- Quick, precise feeding strikes as small foods pass through the water column
- Occasional pairing behavior, with one fish staying close to another for long stretches
- Mouthbrooding behavior in a bonded pair (the male may hold eggs in his mouth)
Provide caves/overhangs and branching rockwork so the group has “hangout” zones, then keep a consistent feeding routine so they learn your tank’s schedule. Many hobbyists get the most natural group behavior by adding several at the same time and letting the shoal settle in together.
Are “Red Tail Cardinal,” “Red Spot Cardinal,” and “Glass Cardinal” the same fish?
In the hobby, these names are often used for very similar-looking small cardinalfish, and stores may label them differently over time. The tail-base spot and overall body transparency are the common visual cues people use when matching names to the fish.
Do they truly school, or just cluster loosely?
Most keepers describe more of a shoal than a tight school: they spread out while relaxed, then group up more closely when spooked or during feeding.
Why do they “disappear” into the rocks after introduction?
It’s common for them to spend the first days posting up under ledges and in shaded areas, then become more visible as they learn the tank’s rhythm and feel established.
Do they behave better as a single, a pair, or a group?
A single fish can work, but small groups tend to show more natural hovering and “together” behavior. If you want a group look, adding several at once usually produces a smoother social setup.
Will they breed in a reef tank?
Pairs can form, and mouthbrooding is possible. If you notice one fish holding its mouth slightly “full” for days, that can be normal brood-holding behavior.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
Recently viewed products