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Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) — Apogonidae

Bandfin cardinalfish

Pristiapogon taeniopterus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bandfin cardinalfish is a cardinalfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a silvery to coppery body with large eyes and a dark band in the first dorsal fin. It is nocturnal and shelters by day in crevices and under overhangs of coral reefs. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bandfin cardinalfish?

The Bandfin cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large eyes; nocturnal; the male is a mouthbrooder

Where does the Bandfin cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Bandfin cardinalfish get?

The Bandfin cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bandfin cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bandfin 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 Bandfin cardinalfish edible?

The Bandfin cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) waxworms, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Diego Meneses, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandfin cardinalfish (Pristiapogon taeniopterus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bandfin cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Pristiapogon taeniopterus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Bandfin cardinalfish; Cardinalfish; Jenkin's cardinal; Pearlscale cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal mouthbrooding cardinalfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large eyes; nocturnal; the male is a mouthbrooder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 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 Pristiapogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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