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Aurita cardinalfish (Fowleria aurita) — Apogonidae

Aurita cardinalfish

Fowleria aurita
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Aurita cardinalfish (Fowleria aurita) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–37.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The crosseyed cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a stocky, brownish body with large eyes and a conspicuous, eye-like spot (ocellus) on the gill cover, to which the name refers. It occurs in shallow reef areas and is often found among weeds in tide pools. It is a nocturnal species that hides by day and hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates at night. The male incubates the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Aurita cardinalfish?

The Aurita cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Aurita cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Aurita cardinalfish get?

The Aurita cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Aurita cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Aurita cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Aurita cardinalfish edible?

The Aurita cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oorvlek-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Aurita cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Fowleria aurita
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Crosseye cardinalfish; Crosseyed cardinal; Crosseyed cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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 Fowleria

More from the family Apogonidae

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