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Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) — Apogonidae

Dusky-tailed cardinalfish

Taeniamia macroptera
Family: Apogonidae

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Taeniamia macroptera) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dusky-tailed cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, coppery to semi-translucent body with large eyes, fine lines and a dark tail base. As a nocturnal fish it forms loose schools by day in the shade of coral and caves and swarms out at night to eat small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish live?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish get?

The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootvin-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Taeniamia macroptera
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Faint-lined cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Taeniamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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