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Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) — Apogonidae

Half-barred cardinalfish

Fibramia thermalis
Family: Apogonidae

The Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Fiji, India and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The half-barred cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow coastal and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, semi-translucent, silvery body with a dark longitudinal stripe, large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day among roots, coral and in crevices 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 Half-barred cardinalfish?

The Half-barred cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Half-barred cardinalfish live?

The Half-barred cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Fiji, India and others

How big does the Half-barred cardinalfish get?

The Half-barred cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Half-barred cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Half-barred 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.

Is the Half-barred cardinalfish edible?

Yes, the Half-barred cardinalfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) sharkdevotee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Half-barred cardinalfish (Fibramia thermalis) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Half-barred cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Fibramia thermalis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Half-barred cardinal; Masked cardinal; Masked cardinalfish; Sangi cardinalfish; Barcheeked cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Fiji, India and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Fibramia

More from the family Apogonidae

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