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Iridescent cardinalfish (Pristiapogon kallopterus) — Apogonidae

Iridescent cardinalfish

Pristiapogon kallopterus
Family: Apogonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Iridescent cardinalfish (Pristiapogon kallopterus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
3.0–158.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The iridescent cardinalfish is a reef fish (family Apogonidae) of the Indo-Pacific. The species reaches about 15 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with an iridescent sheen, a dark lateral stripe and a spot on the caudal peduncle. It inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs, from the lower surge zone to about 45 m depth, and is usually solitary. By day it shelters; at night it hunts small benthic and free-swimming invertebrates. Like other cardinalfish the male broods the eggs in its mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Iridescent cardinalfish?

The Iridescent cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Iridescent cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Iridescent cardinalfish get?

The Iridescent cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Iridescent cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Iridescent cardinalfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Iridescent cardinalfish edible?

The Iridescent cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Iriserende kardinaalbaars sourced
English name
Iridescent cardinalfish verified
Scientific name
Pristiapogon kallopterus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Iridescent cardinalfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
158.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Pristiapogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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