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Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae

Blackfin Cardinalfish

Astrapogon puncticulatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–8 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, in clear seagrass beds.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blackfin cardinalfish is a small reef fish (family Apogonidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches about 8 cm and has a stocky, dark brown to blackish body with dark-coloured fins. Adults live in clear turtlegrass beds, where they often shelter by day in empty snail shells. They are active mainly at night and in the early morning, hunting small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfish the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin Cardinalfish?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Lives in seagrass beds and often hides in empty snail shells; the males brood the eggs in the mouth.

Where does the Blackfin Cardinalfish live?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean, in clear seagrass beds.

How big does the Blackfin Cardinalfish get?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Blackfin Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin Cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin Cardinalfish edible?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae — 3
Baldwin, Carole C., Griswold, Donald (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Kerry Lewis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) caymanmatt, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackfin Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Astrapogon puncticulatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Blackfin cardinalfish; Punctate cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
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)
8 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, in clear seagrass beds.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small 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
Lives in seagrass beds and often hides in empty snail shells; the males brood the eggs in the 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 Astrapogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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