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Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) — Apogonidae

Roughlip cardinalfish

Apogon robinsi
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Roughlip cardinalfish (Apogon robinsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The roughlip cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the family Apogonidae from the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a reddish body with large eyes, two separate dorsal fins and a slightly rough upper lip, to which the name refers. It is nocturnal and hides by day in crevices and holes of coral and rocky reefs. At night it hunts zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. Owing to its retiring habits the species is little noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughlip cardinalfish?

The Roughlip cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Roughlip cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Roughlip cardinalfish get?

The Roughlip cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Roughlip cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Roughlip cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Roughlip cardinalfish edible?

The Roughlip cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruwlip-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Roughlip cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon robinsi
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Roughlip Cardinalfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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