It has a distinctive contrasting pattern of black and light bars with white spots. This species is easily differentiated from all other cardinalfish by its tasseled first dorsal fin.

The Spotted Cardinalfish also known as the Pajama Cardinalfish is a rainbow of playful colors.

The Yellowstriped Cardinalfish comes from the reefs of Fiji or Indonesia. They have a long slender shape and are an orange/red with gold color.