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Bridle cardinalfish (Apogon aurolineatus) — Apogonidae

Bridle cardinalfish

Apogon aurolineatus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bridle cardinalfish (Apogon aurolineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–75.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bridle cardinalfish is a small cardinalfish from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches only about 7 cm and has a reddish to translucent body with fine golden lines and large eyes. As a nocturnal reef fish it shelters by day in crevices and under ledges and hunts small zooplankton at night. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bridle cardinalfish?

The Bridle cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Large eyes and fine gold lines; the male broods eggs in its mouth

Where does the Bridle cardinalfish live?

The Bridle cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic

How big does the Bridle cardinalfish get?

The Bridle cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Bridle cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bridle 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 Bridle cardinalfish edible?

The Bridle cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bridle cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Apogon aurolineatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Bridle Cardinalfish; Bridle cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
75.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal reef cardinalfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large eyes and fine gold lines; the male broods eggs in its mouth 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
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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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