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Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) — Apogonidae

Oblique-banded cardinalfish

Apogon semiornatus
Family: Apogonidae

The Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Comoros, Fiji, Bassas da India and others

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Description

The Oblique-banded cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a stocky, pink with oblique dark bands 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 Oblique-banded cardinalfish?

The Oblique-banded cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Oblique-banded cardinalfish live?

The Oblique-banded cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Comoros, Fiji, Bassas da India and others

How big does the Oblique-banded cardinalfish get?

The Oblique-banded cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Oblique-banded cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Oblique-banded 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.

More photos

Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Joshua Rains, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) — Apogonidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oblique-banded cardinalfish (Apogon semiornatus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Glen Whisson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Oblique-banded cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogon semiornatus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Half-banded cardinalfish; Oblique-banded cardinalfish; Threeband cardinal; Threeband cardinalfish; Halfband cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Comoros, Fiji, Bassas da 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

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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