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Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) — Apogonidae

Spottail cardinalfish

Gymnapogon urospilotus
Family: Apogonidae

The Spottail cardinalfish (Gymnapogon urospilotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–18.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The spottail cardinalfish is a small, slender cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a strongly translucent body with large eyes and a dark spot on the tail base. By day it shelters deep in coral crevices and small caves; by night it snaps at small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottail cardinalfish?

The Spottail cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spottail cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Spottail cardinalfish get?

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

Is the Spottail cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottail cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekstaart-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Spottail cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Gymnapogon urospilotus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Tailspot cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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

More from the family Apogonidae

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