Species Profile
Pajama Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Cardinalfishpeaceful
Adult size
3.5″
Minimum tank
30 gal
Temperature
73–82°F
pH
8.1–8.4
Schooling
Group of 3+
Water level
mid
Diet
Frozen mysis, brine shrimp, marine pellets
Notes
Three-zone coloring: yellow face, black saddle, polka-dotted back end, looks like striped pyjamas. Loose schooler; happiest in groups of 3+. Nocturnal hunter; feed at dusk.
Compatible Tankmates
Best tank mates for Pajama Cardinalfish
Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with Pajama Cardinalfishin a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.
Ocellaris Clownfish
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Blue-Green Chromis
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Royal Gramma
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Firefish Goby
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Yellow Tang
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Percula Clownfish
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Tomato Clownfish
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Yellowtail Damselfish
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Blue Hippo Tang
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Powder Blue Tang
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Sailfin Tang
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Yellow Watchman Goby
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Photo: Rickard Zerpe / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-2.0