Home · Apogonidae · Spotnape cardinalfish
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) — Apogonidae

Spotnape cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus notatus
Family: Apogonidae

The Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

Want the complete picture on the Spotnape cardinalfish?

Description

The Spotnape cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with large eyes and two separate dorsal fins. A dark spot stands out on the nape. 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 Spotnape cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Spotnape cardinalfish live?

The Spotnape cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Spotnape cardinalfish get?

The Spotnape cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Spotnape cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotnape cardinalfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) — Apogonidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) — Apogonidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Suzu Sato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus notatus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mojineko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Want the complete picture on the Spotnape cardinalfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spotnape cardinalfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Spotnape cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus notatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Spotnape cardinalfish; Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 verified
Average length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
20 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

Want the complete picture on the Spotnape cardinalfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spotnape cardinalfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Spotnape cardinalfish?