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Gobbleguts (Ostorhinchus rueppellii) — Apogonidae

Gobbleguts

Ostorhinchus rueppellii
Family: Apogonidae

The Gobbleguts (Ostorhinchus rueppellii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Rueppell's cardinalfish is a small reef fish of the family Apogonidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 12 cm and has a silvery body with fine lateral lines and two separate dorsal fins. It inhabits inshore reefs and estuaries and occurs in groups in weedy, sandy areas. The species is active at night and feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. By day it shelters among water plants. Like other cardinalfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth, a form of remarkable parental care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gobbleguts?

The Gobbleguts has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Gobbleguts live?

The Gobbleguts lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Gobbleguts get?

The Gobbleguts grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Gobbleguts dangerous to humans?

No, the Gobbleguts is harmless to humans.

Is the Gobbleguts edible?

The Gobbleguts is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruppells kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Gobbleguts verified
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus rueppellii
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Gobbleguts; Northern gobbleguts; Ruppell's cardinalfish; Rüppell's cardinalfish; Western gobbleguts verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 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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