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Pale cardinalfish (Apogon planifrons) — Apogonidae

Pale cardinalfish

Apogon planifrons
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pale cardinalfish (Apogon planifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pale cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species is small and has a pale reddish body with large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal life. It inhabits coral and rocky areas, usually at 3 to 30 m deep, possibly deeper. By day it shelters in crevices; at night it hunts zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like all cardinalfishes the male is a mouthbrooder that incubates the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale cardinalfish?

The Pale cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pale cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Pale cardinalfish get?

The Pale cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Pale cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Pale cardinalfish edible?

The Pale cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bleke kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Pale cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon planifrons
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Pale Cardinalfish; Pale cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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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