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Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) — Apogonidae

Twospot cardinalfish

Apogon pseudomaculatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–100 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; hard bottoms, harbours and piers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The twospot cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the cardinalfish family (Apogonidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a reddish body with a dark spot below the second dorsal fin and a second spot on the tail base, to which the name refers. It lives on hard and semi-hard bottoms of the continental shelf, in harbours and around pilings and sea walls. It is a nocturnal species that hides by day and hunts small animals at night. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot cardinalfish?

The Twospot cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Dark blotch below the second dorsal fin and on the caudal peduncle; the male broods the eggs in his mouth.

Where does the Twospot cardinalfish live?

The Twospot cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; hard bottoms, harbours and piers.

How big does the Twospot cardinalfish get?

The Twospot cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Twospot cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Twospot cardinalfish edible?

The Twospot cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) — Apogonidae — 2
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) — Apogonidae — 3
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) — Apogonidae — 4
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twospot cardinalfish (Apogon pseudomaculatus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) michael_zambardino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Twospot cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon pseudomaculatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Twospot Cardinalfish; Twospot cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
100 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; hard bottoms, harbours and piers.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other small creatures sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Dark blotch below the second dorsal fin and on the caudal peduncle; the male broods the eggs in his mouth. 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

Same genus Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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