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Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) — Apogonidae

Perdix cardinalfish

Apogonichthys perdix
Family: Apogonidae

The Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–65.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam and others

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Description

The Perdix cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a stocky, brown mottled 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 Perdix cardinalfish?

The Perdix cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Perdix cardinalfish live?

The Perdix cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam and others

How big does the Perdix cardinalfish get?

The Perdix cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Perdix cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Perdix 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

Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) — Apogonidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) — Apogonidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ewout Knoester, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Perdix cardinalfish (Apogonichthys perdix) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jory Teltser, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Perdix cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogonichthys perdix
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Perdix cardinalfish; Speckled cardinal; Flores cardinalfish; Waikiki cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam 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 Apogonichthys

Ocellate cardinalfish (Apogonichthys ocellatus) — Apogonidae
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