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Reef-flat cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides taeniatus) — Apogonidae

Reef-flat cardinalfish

Apogonichthyoides taeniatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Reef-flat cardinalfish (Apogonichthyoides taeniatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The reef-flat cardinalfish is a cardinalfish from the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a fairly deep, brownish body with dark cross-bars and a conspicuous spot on the tail base. As a nocturnal reef fish it shelters by day among coral and seagrass and hunts small crustaceans and fish at night. The male broods the eggs in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Reef-flat cardinalfish?

The Reef-flat cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Reef-flat cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Reef-flat cardinalfish get?

The Reef-flat cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Reef-flat cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Reef-flat cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Reef-flat cardinalfish edible?

The Reef-flat cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gebande kardinaalbaars verified
English name
Reef-flat cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonichthyoides taeniatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Striped cardinalfish; Two-banded cardinalfish; Twobelt cardinal verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Apogonichthyoides

More from the family Apogonidae

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