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Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) — Apogonidae

Blackfin Cardinalfish

Astrapogon puncticulatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin Cardinalfish (Astrapogon puncticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackfin cardinalfish is a small reef fish (family Apogonidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches about 8 cm and has a stocky, dark brown to blackish body with dark-coloured fins. Adults live in clear turtlegrass beds, where they often shelter by day in empty snail shells. They are active mainly at night and in the early morning, hunting small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfish the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin Cardinalfish?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blackfin Cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Blackfin Cardinalfish get?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Blackfin Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin Cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin Cardinalfish edible?

The Blackfin Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Blackfin Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Astrapogon puncticulatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Blackfin cardinalfish; Punctate cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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 Astrapogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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