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Banda cardinalfish (Nectamia bandanensis) — Apogonidae

Banda cardinalfish

Nectamia bandanensis
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banda cardinalfish (Nectamia bandanensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–34.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bigeye cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the cardinalfish family (Apogonidae) from the western and central Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a pale body with a dark bar over the eye and large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal way of life. It occurs in shallow reef-associated waters, usually at 1 to 12 metres, and shelters by day in crevices and under ledges. At night it hunts small zooplankton and small invertebrates. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banda cardinalfish?

The Banda cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Banda cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Banda cardinalfish get?

The Banda cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Banda cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banda cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Banda cardinalfish edible?

The Banda cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Banda-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Banda cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Nectamia bandanensis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Bigeye cardinalfish; Ghost cardinalfish; Three-saddle cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
34.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nectamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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