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Cardinalfish (Yarica hyalosoma) — Apogonidae

Cardinalfish

Yarica hyalosoma
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cardinalfish (Yarica hyalosoma) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The glassy cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a translucent, glassy body with large eyes, through which the spine shows. Adults inhabit mangrove estuaries, tidal creeks and the lower reaches of freshwater streams. 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 a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Translucent, glassy body; estuarine mouthbrooder, the male carries the eggs in his mouth.

Where does the Cardinalfish live?

The Cardinalfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks.

How big does the Cardinalfish get?

The Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 17 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
Yarica hyalosoma
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Humpbacked cardinalfish; Hump-backed cardinalfish; Mangrove cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates 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
Translucent, glassy body; estuarine mouthbrooder, the male carries the eggs in his mouth. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

More from the family Apogonidae

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