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Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae

Aqaba cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus lachneri
Family: Apogonidae

The Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt

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Description

The Aqaba cardinalfish is a small reef fish (Apogonidae) from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender body with dark longitudinal stripes and a yellow-and-black spot on the tail base. As a nocturnal reef-dweller it shelters by day in crevices and near coral and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The male broods the eggs in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Aqaba cardinalfish?

The Aqaba cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Aqaba cardinalfish live?

The Aqaba cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt

How big does the Aqaba cardinalfish get?

The Aqaba cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Aqaba cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Aqaba cardinalfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Aqaba cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodipterus lachneri
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheilodipterus

More from the family Apogonidae

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