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Indian cardinalfish (Apogon indicus) — Apogonidae

Indian cardinalfish

Apogon indicus
Family: Apogonidae

The Indian cardinalfish (Apogon indicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Mauritius, New Caledonia and others

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Description

The Indian cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the western Indian Ocean. The species has a stocky, reddish with large eyes body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and among coral 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 Indian cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Indian cardinalfish live?

The Indian cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Mauritius, New Caledonia and others

How big does the Indian cardinalfish get?

The Indian cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Indian cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian 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
Indian cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogon indicus
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Indonesia, Mauritius, New Caledonia 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

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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