Tailspot Cardinal

The Tailspot Cardinal (Apogon dovii) is a small cardinalfish with a red body and a distinct dark spot at the base of the tail. It’s a reef-safe, peaceful fish often chosen for mixed reefs where you want calm movement around the rockwork.

What You’ll Observe:

• Hovering in place under ledges and overhangs, then making short trips into open water
• More visible activity in the evening hours and around feeding time
• A steady “water-column” feeding style, taking small meaty foods as they drift by
• When kept as a group, fish often settle into loose spacing and shared hiding zones

To succeed, provide plenty of rockwork with shaded retreats so it has predictable places to hover and rest. Offer a mix of small meaty frozen foods (like mysis and finely chopped seafood) so it can feed comfortably from the water column. In larger systems, introduce multiples at the same time to encourage a more even, settled grouping.

Why does it spend so much time under ledges instead of in open water?
Many cardinalfish prefer hovering in shaded structure during the day, then become easier to spot as the tank lights ramp down.

What does “mouthbrooding” look like if a pair spawns?
The male may hold a cluster of eggs in his mouth; from the outside it can look like he’s keeping his jaw slightly open or “working” the eggs.

If a male is holding eggs, is it normal for him to skip meals?
Yes—many mouthbrooding cardinalfish eat less (or not at all) while carrying eggs, then resume normal feeding afterward.

Do they form tight schools like chromis?
In home aquariums they’re more likely to act as a loose group—sharing the same general area while still keeping personal space around favorite hiding spots.

Do Tailspot Cardinals jump?
They can launch upward when startled, especially during nighttime or sudden lighting changes; a tight-fitting lid or mesh top helps keep them confidently contained.

Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.