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Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) — Apogonidae

Blue-eye cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus compressus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; among branching coral of reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ochre-striped cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a translucent, yellowish body with narrow ochre lengthwise stripes and large eyes. By day it shelters in small groups among or near thickets of branching coral, such as Porites. Nocturnally it emerges to catch zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-eye cardinalfish?

The Blue-eye cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Narrow ochre longitudinal stripes; shelters among branching coral, the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Blue-eye cardinalfish live?

The Blue-eye cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; among branching coral of reefs.

How big does the Blue-eye cardinalfish get?

The Blue-eye cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Blue-eye cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-eye cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-eye cardinalfish edible?

The Blue-eye cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) — Apogonidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eye cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) — Apogonidae — 5
barthazes (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-eye cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus compressus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Blue-eyed cardinal; Blue-eyed cardinalfish; Ochre-striped cardinalfish; Split-banded cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; among branching coral of reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton 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
Narrow ochre longitudinal stripes; shelters among branching coral, the male is a mouthbrooder. 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

Same genus Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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