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Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) — Apogonidae

Black cardinalfish

Apogonichthyoides niger
Family: Apogonidae

The Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Black cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a stocky, dark-brown to black body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and among coral and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans by night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black cardinalfish?

The Black cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Black cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Black cardinalfish get?

The Black cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Black cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Black cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonichthyoides niger
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Dark Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Apogonichthyoides

More from the family Apogonidae

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