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Norfolk cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus norfolcensis) — Apogonidae

Norfolk cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus norfolcensis
Family: Apogonidae

The Norfolk cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus norfolcensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Norfolk cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the southwest Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body with large eyes and two separate dorsal fins. The red-brown body bears a few dark stripes. As a nocturnal reef fish it shelters by day in crevices and under overhanging coral and hunts small zooplankton at night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Norfolk cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Norfolk cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Norfolk cardinalfish get?

The Norfolk cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Norfolk cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Norfolk cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Norfolk-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Norfolk cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus norfolcensis
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 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
Max depth (m)
10.0 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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