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Threespine cardinalfish (Apogonops anomalus) — Acropomatidae

Threespine cardinalfish

Apogonops anomalus
Family: Acropomatidae

The Threespine cardinalfish (Apogonops anomalus) is a fish of the family Acropomatidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Around Australia; continental shelf and upper slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threespine cardinalfish is a deepwater bass (Acropomatidae) from the waters around Australia. The species is small and has an elongate, silvery body with large eyes and an anal fin with three spines. It lives near the bottom on the continental shelf and upper slope in deeper water. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threespine cardinalfish?

The Threespine cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large eyes and an anal fin with three spines; deepwater bass of the continental shelf.

Where does the Threespine cardinalfish live?

The Threespine cardinalfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Around Australia; continental shelf and upper slope.

How big does the Threespine cardinalfish get?

The Threespine cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Threespine cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threespine cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Threespine cardinalfish edible?

The Threespine cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Threespine cardinalfish (Apogonops anomalus) — Acropomatidae — 2
Chi Phan (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Threespine cardinalfish (Apogonops anomalus) — Acropomatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark McGrouther, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Threespine cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonops anomalus
Family
Acropomatidae
Other names
Three-spined cardinalfish; Flathead feed

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Average length (cm)
10 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Around Australia; continental shelf and upper slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Large eyes and an anal fin with three spines; deepwater bass of the continental shelf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Acropomatidae

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