Home · Apogonidae · Blue-lined cardinalfish
Blue-lined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma) — Apogonidae

Blue-lined cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-lined cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellowstriped cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the cardinalfish family (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an orangish body with several bright yellow longitudinal stripes. It inhabits sheltered, clear parts of lagoon and seaward reefs and stays by day in groups under ledges and among coral. As a nocturnal hunter it feeds on 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 Blue-lined cardinalfish?

The Blue-lined cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blue-lined cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Blue-lined cardinalfish get?

The Blue-lined cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Blue-lined cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-lined cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-lined cardinalfish edible?

The Blue-lined cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelstreep-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Blue-lined cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Bluespot cardinalfish; Blue-striped cardinalfish; Goldenstriped cardinal; Goldenstriped cardinalfish; Orangelined cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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)
50.0 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 Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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