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Dwarf cardinalfish (Apogon mosavi) — Apogonidae

Dwarf cardinalfish

Apogon mosavi
Family: Apogonidae

The Dwarf cardinalfish (Apogon mosavi) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Dwarf cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, often reddish or semi-translucent body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices, caves and under overhanging reef and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans by night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf cardinalfish?

The Dwarf cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Dwarf cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Dwarf cardinalfish get?

The Dwarf cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Dwarf cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Dwarf cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogon mosavi
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Sawcheek cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
8 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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