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Cardinalfish (Pseudamia gelatinosa) — Apogonidae

Cardinalfish

Pseudamia gelatinosa
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cardinalfish (Pseudamia gelatinosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–64.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoon reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The gelatinous cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, pale and translucent body with a somewhat gelatinous appearance and large eyes. It inhabits protected bays and lagoon reefs and lives deep within coral thickets, so it is seldom seen by day. Nocturnally it hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cardinalfish?

The Cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern. Pale, translucent, jelly-like body; lives hidden in coral, the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Cardinalfish live?

The Cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoon reefs.

How big does the Cardinalfish get?

The Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Cardinalfish edible?

The Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Pseudamia gelatinosa
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Gelatinous cardinalfish; Jelly cardinal; Jelly cardinalfish; Tail-spot cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
64.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; sheltered bays and lagoon reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Pale, translucent, jelly-like body; lives hidden in 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 Pseudamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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