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Flame cardinalfish (Fowleria flammea) — Apogonidae

Flame cardinalfish

Fowleria flammea
Family: Apogonidae

The Flame cardinalfish (Fowleria flammea) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Tonga

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Description

The flame cardinalfish is a small cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, red-brown body with fine markings and large eyes. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day deep among coral, sponges and in crevices and hunts small crustaceans and zooplankton by night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flame cardinalfish?

The Flame cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Flame cardinalfish live?

The Flame cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Tonga

How big does the Flame cardinalfish get?

The Flame cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Flame cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Flame cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Fowleria flammea
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Tonga 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 Fowleria

More from the family Apogonidae

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