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Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) — Apogonidae

Roughlip cardinalfish

Apogon robinsi
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, on coral and rocky reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The roughlip cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the family Apogonidae from the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a reddish body with large eyes, two separate dorsal fins and a slightly rough upper lip, to which the name refers. It is nocturnal and hides by day in crevices and holes of coral and rocky reefs. At night it hunts zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. Owing to its retiring habits the species is little noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughlip cardinalfish?

The Roughlip cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Nocturnal with large eyes; the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Roughlip cardinalfish live?

The Roughlip cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic, on coral and rocky reefs.

How big does the Roughlip cardinalfish get?

The Roughlip cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Roughlip cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Roughlip cardinalfish edible?

The Roughlip cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) — Apogonidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) — Apogonidae — 3
Pitassy, Diane E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) — Apogonidae — 4
Floris Bennema (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF

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All data

Identification

English name
Roughlip cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon robinsi
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Roughlip Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.1 verified
Average length (cm)
7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
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
Natural range
Western Atlantic, on coral and rocky reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Nocturnal with large eyes; 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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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