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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
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South), Malaysia

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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. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South), Malaysia

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. 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

Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sharkdevotee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) — Apogonidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Black cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides niger) — Apogonidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — ゆうき315 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Black cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonichthyoides niger
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Dark Cardinalfish; Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South), Malaysia 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 Apogonichthyoides

More from the family Apogonidae

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