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Guadalupe cardinalfish (Apogon guadalupensis) — Apogonidae

Guadalupe cardinalfish

Apogon guadalupensis
Family: Apogonidae

The Guadalupe cardinalfish (Apogon guadalupensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–18.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

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Description

The Guadalupe cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, often reddish or semi-translucent body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices, caves and under overhanging reef and hunts small zooplankton and small crustaceans by night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guadalupe cardinalfish?

The Guadalupe cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Guadalupe cardinalfish live?

The Guadalupe cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Guadalupe cardinalfish get?

The Guadalupe cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Guadalupe cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Guadalupe 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
Guadalupe cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogon guadalupensis
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA 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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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