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Backspot cardinalfish (Jaydia carinatus) — Apogonidae

Backspot cardinalfish

Jaydia carinatus
Family: Apogonidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Backspot cardinalfish (Jaydia carinatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–146.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The ocellate cardinalfish is a cardinalfish from the western Pacific, ranging from Japan and the China seas to northwestern Australia. It grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with large, easily shed scales; a distinctive black oval ocellus marks the second dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on muddy bottoms between about 50 and 145 metres depth. Like all cardinalfish the species is a mouthbrooder in which the male incubates the eggs in his mouth. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Backspot cardinalfish?

The Backspot cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Black oval eyespot on the second dorsal fin; large deciduous scales; male mouthbrooder

Where does the Backspot cardinalfish live?

The Backspot cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific

How big does the Backspot cardinalfish get?

The Backspot cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Backspot cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Backspot 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.

Is the Backspot cardinalfish edible?

The Backspot cardinalfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Backspot cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Jaydia carinatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ocellate cardinalfish; Ocellated cardinalfish; Spotsail cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
146.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Mouthbrooding bottom-dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Black oval eyespot on the second dorsal fin; large deciduous scales; male mouthbrooder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Jaydia

More from the family Apogonidae

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