Home · Apogonidae · Singapore toothy cardinalfish
Singapore toothy cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus singapurensis) — Apogonidae

Singapore toothy cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus singapurensis
Family: Apogonidae

The Singapore toothy cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus singapurensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Singapore toothy cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, silvery body with dark longitudinal stripes, a yellow tail-base spot, large eyes and conspicuously large canine teeth. As a nocturnal predator it shelters by coral by day and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Singapore toothy cardinalfish?

The Singapore toothy cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Singapore toothy cardinalfish live?

The Singapore toothy cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Singapore toothy cardinalfish get?

The Singapore toothy cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Singapore toothy cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Singapore toothy cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Singapore toothy cardinalfish edible?

Yes, the Singapore toothy cardinalfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Singapore-tandkardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Singapore toothy cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodipterus singapurensis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Singapore cardinalfish; Truncate cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheilodipterus

More from the family Apogonidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →