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Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) — Apogonidae

Barspot cardinalfish

Apogon retrosella
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–60 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs of the Gulf of California and surroundings.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The barspot cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the cardinalfish family (Apogonidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a reddish body with a dark bar behind the pectoral fin and a second spot on the tail base. It inhabits rocky reefs, where by day it hides in crevices and under ledges and only ventures out at night. As a nocturnal hunter it feeds on crustaceans and other small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barspot cardinalfish?

The Barspot cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Dark bar behind the pectoral fin; nocturnal, the male broods the eggs in its mouth.

Where does the Barspot cardinalfish live?

The Barspot cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs of the Gulf of California and surroundings.

How big does the Barspot cardinalfish get?

The Barspot cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Barspot cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Barspot cardinalfish edible?

The Barspot cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Neil DeMaster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) proyectoislamagdalena, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) — Apogonidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Alcalá (CC BY 4.0)
Barspot cardinalfish (Apogon retrosella) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Frank Krasovec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Barspot cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon retrosella
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
60 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs of the Gulf of California and surroundings.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Dark bar behind the pectoral fin; nocturnal, the male broods the eggs in its mouth. 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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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