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Branch cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cladophilos) — Apogonidae

Branch cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus cladophilos
Family: Apogonidae

The Branch cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cladophilos) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia

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Description

The Branch cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, red-brown with fine markings body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day among coral and in crevices 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 Branch cardinalfish?

The Branch cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Branch cardinalfish live?

The Branch cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia

How big does the Branch cardinalfish get?

The Branch cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Branch cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Branch 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
Branch cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus cladophilos
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Shelter cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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