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Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae

Ocellate cardinalfish

Apogonichthys ocellatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–5 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow sheltered lagoons and harbours.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ocellated cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a red-brown, mottled body with large eyes and an eyespot on the dorsal fin. It occurs in shallow, sheltered lagoons and harbours, where it hides by day among rocks, rubble and algae. Nocturnally it hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellate cardinalfish?

The Ocellate cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Marbled body with an eyespot on the dorsal fin; nocturnal, the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Ocellate cardinalfish live?

The Ocellate cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; shallow sheltered lagoons and harbours.

How big does the Ocellate cardinalfish get?

The Ocellate cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Ocellate cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellate cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ocellate cardinalfish edible?

The Ocellate cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) setsof, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Amaury Durbano, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Ocellate cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogonichthys ocellatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ocellated cardinal; Ocellated cardinalfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
5 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow sheltered lagoons and harbours.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Marbled body with an eyespot on the dorsal fin; nocturnal, the male is a mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Apogonichthys

More from the family Apogonidae

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