Home · Apogonidae · Sawcheek cardinalfish
Sawcheek cardinalfish (Apogon quadrisquamatus) — Apogonidae

Sawcheek cardinalfish

Apogon quadrisquamatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sawcheek cardinalfish (Apogon quadrisquamatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–75.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sawcheek cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. The species is small and has a reddish, translucent body with large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal life. It lives on coral, sand or gravel bottoms and sometimes shelters near sea anemones or inside tubular sponges, presumably as protection from predators. By day it shelters; at night it hunts zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like all cardinalfishes the male is a mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sawcheek cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Sawcheek cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Sawcheek cardinalfish get?

The Sawcheek cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sawcheek cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sawcheek cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Sawcheek cardinalfish edible?

The Sawcheek cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zaagwang-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Sawcheek cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon quadrisquamatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Sawcheek Cardinalfish; Sawcheek cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
75.0 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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