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Humpback cardinalfish (Fibramia lateralis) — Apogonidae

Humpback cardinalfish

Fibramia lateralis
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Humpback cardinalfish (Fibramia lateralis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The humpback cardinalfish is a small cardinalfish from the Indo-West Pacific, often in brackish and coastal water. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a translucent silvery body with a dark lateral stripe and a spot at the tail base, and large eyes. It is nocturnal and shelters by day; the male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humpback cardinalfish?

The Humpback cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Large eyes; nocturnal; the male is a mouthbrooder

Where does the Humpback cardinalfish live?

The Humpback cardinalfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Humpback cardinalfish get?

The Humpback cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Humpback cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Humpback 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 Humpback cardinalfish edible?

The Humpback cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Humpback cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Fibramia lateralis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ceram cardinalfish; Coastal cardinalfish; Humpback cardinal; Humpback cardinalfish; Ceram cardinal; Inshore cardinalfish; Mangrove cardinalfish; Pinstripe cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal mouthbrooding cardinalfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large eyes; nocturnal; the male is a mouthbrooder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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