Tank setup
A minimum 120L aquarium suits Pajama Cardinalfish. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Pajama Cardinalfish.
Community Marketplace
Fellow hobbyists may also be selling Pajama Cardinalfish.
Want Pajama Cardinalfish?
Tell shops you're looking — be the first to signal demand.
Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Pajama Cardinalfish is a uniquely patterned and popular saltwater fish, ideal for beginners. It features a greenish-yellow face, a striking dark mid-body band, and a posterior covered in reddish-brown polka-dots, giving it a 'pajama'-like appearance. They are a peaceful, slow-moving, and nocturnal species that prefers to hover in small groups, often seeking refuge in branching corals or among rockwork. They are incredibly easy to feed and very hardy. One of the most interesting facts about them is that they are paternal mouthbrooders; the male cardinalfish will hold the fertilized eggs in his mouth for weeks until they hatch.
Key traits
peaceful
schooling
community
reef safe
small
easy
carnivore
breeds in captivity
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Pajama Cardinalfish healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Pajama Cardinalfish is carnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for saltwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Pajama Cardinalfish is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in saltwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Pajama Cardinalfish vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping marine fish?
Marine chemistry moves daily — the foundation sets keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium honest.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R390–390 · Average: R390
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
No active alerts for Pajama Cardinalfish yet. Be the first to set one.
Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Pajama Cardinalfish, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Percula Clownfish
Amphiprion percula
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Six-spot Goby
Valenciennea sexguttata
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Fire Shrimp (Blood Red Shrimp)
Lysmata debelius
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Zoanthid Colony (various colors)
Zoanthus sp.
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Six Line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
In a 120L+ tank
- Often kept together
Banded Boxing Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
In a 120L+ tank