Pajama Cardinalfish Feeding Guide
Pajama Cardinalfish are carnivores that accept a range of meaty frozen and prepared foods in captivity. They are generally reliable feeders but are slow and deliberate — in a community tank with faster fish, ensuring they get adequate food requires some attention.
What Pajama Cardinalfish Eat
- Frozen mysis shrimp: The most reliable and nutritious staple. Most Pajama Cardinalfish accept mysis readily.
- Frozen brine shrimp: Accepted readily. Enriched brine shrimp is preferable to plain as a supplement. Best used alongside mysis rather than as a sole food.
- Small carnivore pellets: Accepted by many individuals, particularly captive-bred fish. Sinking or slow-sinking pellets work better than fast-sinking ones for mid-water feeders.
- Copepods and amphipods: Will hunt pods in a tank with a healthy population. A refugium that produces copepods supplements the diet naturally.
- Frozen krill or other small meaty foods: Appropriate as occasional variety.
Feeding Frequency
Feed once or twice daily. Offer small amounts the fish will consume within a few minutes. Pajama Cardinalfish have relatively small mouths — ensure food items are appropriately sized. Whole large mysis or krill pieces may need to be broken up for smaller individuals.
Feeding in a Community Tank
Pajama Cardinalfish are slow, deliberate feeders that hover near rockwork rather than actively pursuing food. In tanks with faster or more aggressive feeders — clownfish, tangs, blennies — they can be outcompeted. Strategies that help:
- Feed the tank in multiple spots simultaneously to distribute faster fish
- Target feed near the cardinalfish's preferred rockwork area with a pipette or turkey baster
- Use a feeding station or dish that slows food dispersal
Nocturnal Feeding Tendency
Pajama Cardinalfish are naturally more active at dusk and dawn. In some tanks they feed more readily in lower light conditions or toward the end of the photoperiod. If a fish seems reluctant to feed during the main lights-on period, try offering food as the lights dim.
New Fish and Feeding
Newly introduced Pajama Cardinalfish may refuse food for several days while acclimating. This is normal. Continue offering food near their preferred hiding spot. Most begin feeding within a week of introduction once they have settled.