Atlantic Flame Cardinalfish (Apogon maculatus)

Like every cardinalfish, the Atlantic Flame is a mouthbrooder — males carry a full clutch of eggs in their mouth for about a week after spawning, going without food the entire time to protect the next generation. Unlike most cardinals in the trade, which come from Indo-Pacific reefs, this one is a Caribbean native, and its fiery red coloring holds up beautifully under actinic lighting.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful, shoaling · Max size: ~3" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Carnivore, meaty foods