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Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus isostigmus) — Apogonidae

Dusky-tailed cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus isostigmus
Family: Apogonidae

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus isostigmus) is a fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dusky cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has an elongate body with dark lengthwise stripes, large eyes and a black spot on the tail base. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and under overhanging coral and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans at night. Notably, the male incubates the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish live?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish get?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish edible?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schemerstaart-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodipterus isostigmus
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheilodipterus

More from the family Apogonidae

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