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Eightspine cardinalfish (Neamia octospina) — Apogonidae

Eightspine cardinalfish

Neamia octospina
Family: Apogonidae

The Eightspine cardinalfish (Neamia octospina) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Eightspine cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow coral-reef water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky body with large eyes, two separate dorsal fins and often fine stripes or spots. As a nocturnal fish it shelters in crevices and among coral by day and hunts small plankton 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 Eightspine cardinalfish?

The Eightspine cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Eightspine cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Eightspine cardinalfish get?

The Eightspine cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Eightspine cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eightspine cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Achtdoorn-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Eightspine cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Neamia octospina
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Eightspine cardinalfish; Eight-spine cardinalfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 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

More from the family Apogonidae

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