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Arrow cardinalfish (Rhabdamia gracilis) — Apogonidae

Arrow cardinalfish

Rhabdamia gracilis
Family: Apogonidae

The Arrow cardinalfish (Rhabdamia gracilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Hong Kong, India and others

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Description

The arrow cardinalfish is a small, slender cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a translucent, light-pink body with large eyes. Unlike many cardinalfish it swarms by day in dense schools above coral heads and crevices; it eats small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arrow cardinalfish?

The Arrow cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Arrow cardinalfish live?

The Arrow cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Hong Kong, India and others

How big does the Arrow cardinalfish get?

The Arrow cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Arrow cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Arrow 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
Arrow cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Rhabdamia gracilis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Cardinal fish; Graceful cardinalfish; Luminous cardinalfish; Slender cardinalfish; Arrow cardinal; Slender cardinal verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Hong Kong, India and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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 Rhabdamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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