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Blackvent cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus melanoproctus) — Apogonidae

Blackvent cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus melanoproctus
Family: Apogonidae

The Blackvent cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus melanoproctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Blackvent cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, silvery with a dark belly mark body with large eyes and two dorsal fins. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day among coral and in crevices 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 Blackvent cardinalfish?

The Blackvent cardinalfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blackvent cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Blackvent cardinalfish get?

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

Is the Blackvent cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackvent cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartanus-kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Blackvent cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus melanoproctus
Family
Apogonidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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