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Aroubi cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus aroubiensis) — Apogonidae

Aroubi cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus aroubiensis
Family: Apogonidae

The Aroubi cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus aroubiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Fiji, Malaysia

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Description

The Aroubi cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with dark longitudinal stripes, large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and among coral 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 Aroubi cardinalfish?

The Aroubi cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Aroubi cardinalfish live?

The Aroubi cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Fiji, Malaysia

How big does the Aroubi cardinalfish get?

The Aroubi cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Aroubi cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Aroubi cardinalfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Aroubi cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus aroubiensis
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Fiji, Malaysia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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