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Banded cardinalfish (Pseudamia zonata) — Apogonidae

Banded cardinalfish

Pseudamia zonata
Family: Apogonidae

The Banded cardinalfish (Pseudamia zonata) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others

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Description

The Banded 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, semi-translucent body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in caves, crevices and under overhanging reef 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 Banded cardinalfish?

The Banded cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Banded cardinalfish live?

The Banded cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others

How big does the Banded cardinalfish get?

The Banded cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Banded cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded 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
Banded cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudamia zonata
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Paddlefin cardinalfish; Paddlefish cardinalfish; Charcoal-banded cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Pseudamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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