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Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) — Apogonidae

Brazilian flamefish

Apogon americanus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–70 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic off Brazil; rock pools and coral reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Brazilian cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the western Atlantic off the coast of Brazil. The species is small and has a reddish body with large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal life. It inhabits rock pools and coral reefs to at least 50 m deep, where it hides in holes and crevices by day. At night it hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Notably, the male incubates the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brazilian flamefish?

The Brazilian flamefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Nocturnal reef fish with large eyes; the male broods the eggs in its mouth.

Where does the Brazilian flamefish live?

The Brazilian flamefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic off Brazil; rock pools and coral reefs.

How big does the Brazilian flamefish get?

The Brazilian flamefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Brazilian flamefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brazilian flamefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Brazilian flamefish edible?

The Brazilian flamefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) biobrasileira, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pedro Viana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Flávio Mendes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) — Apogonidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — François-Louis Laporte, comte de Castelnau (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Brazilian flamefish verified
Scientific name
Apogon americanus
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.1 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
70 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic off Brazil; rock pools and coral reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton 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
Nocturnal reef fish with large eyes; 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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