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Brownline siphonfish (Siphamia fuscolineata) — Apogonidae

Brownline siphonfish

Siphamia fuscolineata
Family: Apogonidae

The Brownline siphonfish (Siphamia fuscolineata) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia and others

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Description

The Brownline siphonfish is a small light cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky, semi-translucent body and carries luminous bacteria in the belly that give a soft glow. As a shy, nocturnal fish it shelters by day among the spines of sea urchins and in coral crevices and hunts small zooplankton at night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brownline siphonfish?

The Brownline siphonfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Brownline siphonfish live?

The Brownline siphonfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia and others

How big does the Brownline siphonfish get?

The Brownline siphonfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Brownline siphonfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brownline siphonfish 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
Brownline siphonfish sourced
Scientific name
Siphamia fuscolineata
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Cardinalfish; Crown-of-thorns cardinal; Crown-of-thorns cardinalfish; Brown-striped siphonfish; Philippines urchin cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia and others 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 Siphamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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