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Barred cardinalfish (Apogon binotatus) — Apogonidae

Barred cardinalfish

Apogon binotatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred cardinalfish (Apogon binotatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The barred cardinalfish is a small reef fish (family Apogonidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches about 13 cm and has a stocky, reddish body with two dark bars. It is ubiquitous, from gravel pits and rock ledges at the sea's edge to clear-water reefs, and hides by day in cracks and crevices. At night it hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfish the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred cardinalfish?

The Barred cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Barred cardinalfish live?

The Barred cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Barred cardinalfish get?

The Barred cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Barred cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred cardinalfish edible?

The Barred cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gebande kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Barred cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon binotatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Barred Cardinalfish; Barred cardinalfish; Two-spotted cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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