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Banded toothy cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus zonatus) — Apogonidae

Banded toothy cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus zonatus
Family: Apogonidae

The Banded toothy cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus zonatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–25 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

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Description

The banded toothy cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, yellow-white body with dark longitudinal stripes, large eyes and, unlike many cardinalfish, prominent canine teeth. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day among coral and hunts small fish and 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 Banded toothy cardinalfish?

The Banded toothy cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded toothy cardinalfish live?

The Banded toothy cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

How big does the Banded toothy cardinalfish get?

The Banded toothy cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Banded toothy cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded toothy 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

Banded toothy cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus zonatus) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) barthazes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded toothy cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodipterus zonatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Yellowbelly cardinalfish; Mimic cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
25 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines 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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