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Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae

Dusky-tailed cardinalfish

Taeniamia macroptera
Family: Apogonidae

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

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–20 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, Thailand and others

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Description

The dusky-tailed cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, coppery to semi-translucent body with large eyes, fine lines and a dark tail base. As a nocturnal fish it forms loose schools by day in the shade of coral and caves and swarms out at night to eat small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish live?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, Thailand and others

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. 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

Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Taeniamia macroptera
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Faint-lined cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
20 verified
Natural range
Asia: Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, Thailand and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 Taeniamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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