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Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae

Spottail cardinalfish

Gymnapogon urospilotus
Family: Apogonidae

The Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–18 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia and others

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Description

The spottail cardinalfish is a small, slender cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a strongly translucent body with large eyes and a dark spot on the tail base. By day it shelters deep in coral crevices and small caves; by night it snaps at small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottail cardinalfish?

The Spottail cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spottail cardinalfish live?

The Spottail cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia and others

How big does the Spottail cardinalfish get?

The Spottail cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Spottail cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottail 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

Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Spottail cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Gymnapogon urospilotus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Tailspot cardinalfish; B-spot cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
18 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
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

More from the family Apogonidae

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