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Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) — Apogonidae

Bigtooth Cardinalfish

Paroncheilus affinis
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; exposed deeper reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bigtooth cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has a reddish body with large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal life. Adults prefer exposed deeper reefs and rocky outcroppings. By day it shelters in crevices; at night it hunts zooplankton and small invertebrates. Notably, the eggs are incubated orally by both parents. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigtooth Cardinalfish?

The Bigtooth Cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. The eggs are brooded in the mouth by both parents; nocturnal deep-water reef fish.

Where does the Bigtooth Cardinalfish live?

The Bigtooth Cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; exposed deeper reefs.

How big does the Bigtooth Cardinalfish get?

The Bigtooth Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Bigtooth Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigtooth Cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigtooth Cardinalfish edible?

The Bigtooth Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) — Apogonidae — 2
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) — Apogonidae — 3
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) canaryrockfish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigtooth Cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigtooth Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Paroncheilus affinis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Bigtooth cardinalfish; Longtooth cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; exposed deeper reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
The eggs are brooded in the mouth by both parents; nocturnal deep-water reef fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Apogonidae

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