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Lightbelly cardinalfish (Jaydia photogaster) — Apogonidae

Lightbelly cardinalfish

Jaydia photogaster
Family: Apogonidae

The Lightbelly cardinalfish (Jaydia photogaster) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–52.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Lightbelly cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, silvery to semi-translucent body with large eyes and two dorsal fins; some relatives carry light organs in the belly. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and under coral and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans by night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lightbelly cardinalfish?

The Lightbelly cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Lightbelly cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Lightbelly cardinalfish get?

The Lightbelly cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Lightbelly cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lightbelly cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lichtbuik-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Lightbelly cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Jaydia photogaster
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Silverbelly cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
52.0 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

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Jaydia

More from the family Apogonidae

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