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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
Edibility
Not eaten

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.

Where does the Threespine cardinalfish live?

The Threespine cardinalfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

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.

Is the Threespine cardinalfish edible?

The Threespine cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Drie-stekel kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Threespine cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonops anomalus
Family
Acropomatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No 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

More from the family Acropomatidae

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