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Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) — Apogonidae

Manylined cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus multilineatus
Family: Apogonidae

The Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–25 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

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Description

The manylined cardinalfish is a small reef fish (Apogonidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate body with numerous fine, dark longitudinal lines. As a nocturnal reef-dweller it shelters by day in groups in crevices and near coral and hunts small zooplankton and crustaceans at night. The male broods the eggs in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Manylined cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Manylined cardinalfish live?

The Manylined cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

How big does the Manylined cardinalfish get?

The Manylined cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Manylined cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Manylined 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

Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ivan Samra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Manylined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus multilineatus) — Apogonidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Manylined cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus multilineatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Many-lined cardinalfish; Multi-striped cardinal; Multi-striped cardinalfish; Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
25 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
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 Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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