Pajama Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Add a splash of vibrant personality to your reef aquarium with the Pajama Cardinal, a captivating fish known for its unique, pajama-like pattern. Sporting bold spots and stripes across its body, this fish is a delightful addition for both novice and experienced aquarists.
Care Level & Requirements
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Diet: Carnivore – enjoys a varied diet of live, frozen, and high-quality flake foods
Reef Safe: Yes
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 72-78°F
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.020-1.025
Compatibility & Behavior
The Pajama Cardinal is an ideal choice for a peaceful community setup, effortlessly coexisting with a variety of other non-aggressive species. Its calm demeanor makes it a perfect candidate for reef aquariums, as it poses no threat to coral or invertebrates. Feel free to house them in small groups for a more natural and engaging display.
Feeding & Diet
This adaptable carnivore thrives on a diverse diet, relishing live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. It also readily accepts frozen foods and high-quality flake options, ensuring your Pajama Cardinal remains healthy and vibrant. Regular feeding, twice daily, is recommended to maintain optimal health.
Why Choose the Pajama Cardinal?
The Pajama Cardinal is not only visually striking but also incredibly hardy, making it an excellent choice for aquarists at any skill level. Its peaceful nature and ease of care ensure that it integrates seamlessly into your existing reef community, adding both beauty and harmony to your underwater world.
Experience the joy of adding a Pajama Cardinal to your aquarium today, and watch as it brings a touch of whimsy and elegance to your aquatic environment.
Feeding & Diet
Feeding & Diet
An opportunistic omnivore, the Pithos Crab will scavenge detritus, uneaten food, and algae — making it a natural cleanup crew member. Supplement with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp or pellets 2–3x per week if natural food sources are limited.
Care & Water Parameters
Care & Water Parameters
The Pithos Crab thrives in stable, well-maintained reef conditions. Target parameters: temperature 72–78°F, salinity 1.025–1.026 SG, pH 8.1–8.4, and alkalinity 8–12 dKH. A mature, established tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Reef & Tank Compatibility
Reef & Tank Compatibility
Generally considered reef-safe. The Pithos Crab coexists well with most corals and peaceful fish. Use caution with very small invertebrates or slow-moving tankmates. Provide ample rockwork and hiding spots to reduce territorial behavior.
Size & Growth
Size & Growth
Pithos Crabs are typically shipped at 0.5–1.5 inches. They are slow-growing and generally remain small, making them well-suited for nano and mid-size reef systems.
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
All livestock ships with heat or cold packs as needed and is packaged for safe transit. We stand behind a live arrival guarantee — if your animal arrives DOA, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with a clear photo. See our full DOA policy for claim details.
Share
