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Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) — Apogonidae

Cardinalfish

Sphaeramia nematoptera
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–14.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pajama cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the western Pacific. The species is conspicuously marked: a yellowish head, a broad dark band across the middle and a rear body with red spots, with large eyes. By day it forms groups among the branches of branching coral in sheltered lagoons. Nocturnally it hunts small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cardinalfish?

The Cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Cardinalfish get?

The Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cardinalfish edible?

The Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pyjama-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Coral cardinalfish; Pajama cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
14.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Sphaeramia

More from the family Apogonidae

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