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Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) — Apogonidae

Spotted glass cardinalfish

Rhabdamia spilota
Family: Apogonidae

The Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20–55 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia

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Description

The spotted glass cardinalfish is a small cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, almost transparent body with a few dark spots and large eyes. As a nocturnal fish it forms dense, glassy schools by day in the shade of coral and caves and swarms out at night to eat small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted glass cardinalfish?

The Spotted glass cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotted glass cardinalfish live?

The Spotted glass cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Spotted glass cardinalfish get?

The Spotted glass cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Spotted glass cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted glass 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

Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) — Apogonidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Stefan Dreesen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) TGriffin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted glass cardinalfish (Rhabdamia spilota) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted glass cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Rhabdamia spilota
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Indonesian doubles cardinalfish; Glassy cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20 verified
Max depth (m)
55 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 Rhabdamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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