Home · Apogonidae · Cheek-spot cardinalfish
Cheek-spot cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus chrysopomus) — Apogonidae

Cheek-spot cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus chrysopomus
Family: Apogonidae

The Cheek-spot cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus chrysopomus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The cheek-spot cardinalfish is a small reef fish (Apogonidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a reddish to translucent body with fine lines and a conspicuous spot on the cheek. 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 Cheek-spot cardinalfish?

The Cheek-spot cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Cheek-spot cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Cheek-spot cardinalfish get?

The Cheek-spot cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Cheek-spot cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cheek-spot cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wangvlek-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Cheek-spot cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus chrysopomus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Spotted-gill cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 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 Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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