Home · Apogonidae · Aqaba cardinalfish
Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) — Apogonidae

Aqaba cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus lachneri
Family: Apogonidae

The Aqaba cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus lachneri) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Aqaba cardinalfish is a small reef fish (Apogonidae) from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender body with dark longitudinal stripes and a yellow-and-black spot on the tail base. As a nocturnal reef-dweller it shelters by day in crevices and near coral and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The male broods the eggs in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Aqaba cardinalfish?

The Aqaba cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Aqaba cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Aqaba cardinalfish get?

The Aqaba cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Aqaba cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Aqaba cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Aqaba-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Aqaba cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodipterus lachneri
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cheilodipterus

More from the family Apogonidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →