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Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) — Apogonidae

Barred cardinalfish

Fowleria marmorata
Family: Apogonidae

The Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–37 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms and outer reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The marbled cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small, has large eyes and a red-brown, marbled body often with an eyespot on the gill cover. It is nocturnal and lives inshore over rocky bottoms and on outer reefs, where by day it hides among rocks and coral rubble. At night it hunts small crustaceans and invertebrates. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred cardinalfish?

The Barred cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Marbled body with an eyespot on the operculum; nocturnal, the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Barred cardinalfish live?

The Barred cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms and outer reefs.

How big does the Barred cardinalfish get?

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

Is the Barred cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred cardinalfish edible?

The Barred cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ella Pennington, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) — Apogonidae — 5
Richard Winterbottom (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Fowleria marmorata
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ear cardinalfish; Eared cardinalfish; Eared soldier fish; Marbled cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
37 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms and outer reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Marbled body with an eyespot on the operculum; nocturnal, the male is a mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Fowleria

More from the family Apogonidae

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