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Cardinalfish (Nectamia savayensis) — Apogonidae

Cardinalfish

Nectamia savayensis
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cardinalfish (Nectamia savayensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Samoan cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the cardinalfish family (Apogonidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and inhabits protected coastal and seaward reef slopes to about 15 metres. It is shy and hides by day in crevices and under ledges; at night it emerges to hunt ostracods, amphipods, shrimps and polychaetes. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth (mouthbrooding). The Samoan cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cardinalfish?

The Cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Cardinalfish get?

The Cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cardinalfish edible?

The Cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Samoa-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Nectamia savayensis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ghost cardinal; Ghost cardinalfish; Gray cardinalfish; Samoan cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 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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