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Wolf Cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus artus)

Find Wolf Cardinalfish across reef-livestock retailers and from fellow hobbyists on ReefDock. Compare sources, check live pricing where available, and review source-tank parameters on Reef-Trak-verified fish listings before you buy.

Wolf Cardinalfish
Photo: Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0
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Where to buy Wolf Cardinalfish

ReefDock searches the following reef retailers for this fish. Click through to see the live price.

  • Saltwaterfish

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    Search Saltwaterfish
  • Amazon

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  • Petco

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About Wolf Cardinalfish

A small, nocturnal cardinalfish with a slender body and large mouth typical of apogonids. The body is predominantly reddish-brown to dusky orange, with darker mottling and bands, particularly prominent on the head and anterior body. The large eyes and terminal mouth are characteristic adaptations for low-light hunting.

Key facts

Temperament
Peaceful
Care Level
Moderate
Family
Apogonidae
Difficulty Level
The Wolf Cardinalfish is moderately difficult due to its nocturnal behavior and preference for live or high-quality frozen foods. It requires careful acclimation and stable conditions, but is generally hardy once established.
Diet Details
A carnivore that feeds on small crustaceans and planktonic organisms in the wild. In captivity, feed high-quality frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, and small prepared foods designed for carnivorous fish, preferably at dusk or night to match natural feeding behavior.
Water Parameters
Temperature: 72-78°F pH: 8.1-8.3 Salinity: 1.02-1.026
Appearance
A small, nocturnal cardinalfish with a slender body and large mouth typical of apogonids. The body is predominantly reddish-brown to dusky orange, with darker mottling and bands, particularly prominent on the head and anterior body. The large eyes and terminal mouth are characteristic adaptations for low-light hunting.
Max Size
3.5
Care Requirements
• Minimum 30 gallon tank • Primarily nocturnal; may hide during the day—provide caves, overhangs, and shaded areas • Feed frozen mysis shrimp and copepods at dusk or night when naturally active • Temperature range 72–78°F; pH 8.1–8.3; Salinity 1.020–1.026 • Peaceful toward other fish and invertebrates; compatible with reef-safe tankmates
Common Health Issues
Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Hole-in-the-head disease, Columnaris
Min tank size
30 gallons
Diet
carnivore

Looking for a hobbyist seller?

ReefDock's marketplace lets reef-keepers sell fish directly to other reef-keepers with Stripe-secured checkout and live-arrival photo confirmation. Browse current fish listings on ReefDock, or list your own.

Verify the source tank before you buy

ReefDock is the sister app to Reef Trak. Sellers who maintain a Reef Trak tank log can publish source-tank parameters on eligible fish listings — so you can see the conditions a fish was raised in before you buy. Log this fish on Reef Trak.

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