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Cardinal fish (Apogon dovii) — Apogonidae

Cardinal fish

Apogon dovii
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cardinal fish (Apogon dovii) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The tailspot cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species is small and has a reddish body with large eyes and a dark spot on the tail base. By day it shelters in crevices and cavities of rocky and coral reefs; nocturnally it emerges to catch zooplankton and small invertebrates. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cardinal fish?

The Cardinal fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Cardinal fish live?

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

How big does the Cardinal fish get?

The Cardinal fish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Cardinal fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cardinal fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cardinal fish edible?

The Cardinal fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Staartvlek-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Cardinal fish verified
Scientific name
Apogon dovii
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Tailspot cardinalfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
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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