Home · Apogonidae · Flamefish
Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) — Apogonidae

Flamefish

Apogon maculatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–128.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The flamefish is a bright-red reef fish of the family Apogonidae (cardinalfishes) reaching about 11 cm. The stocky body is vivid red, with large eyes, a dark spot below the second dorsal fin and a fine bar through the eye. By day it shelters in shaded crevices and caves of coral and rock reefs in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean; at night it emerges to hunt small crustaceans and fish. Like many cardinalfishes it is a mouthbrooder: the male broods the egg ball in his mouth until the young hatch. Because of its colour and behaviour it is popular in the marine aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flamefish?

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

Where does the Flamefish live?

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

How big does the Flamefish get?

The Flamefish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Flamefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flamefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Flamefish edible?

The Flamefish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlamkardinaalbaars inferred
English name
Flamefish verified
Scientific name
Apogon maculatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Flamefish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
128.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →