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Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) — Apogonidae

Ringtailed cardinalfish

Nectamia annularis
Family: Apogonidae

The Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–17.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Saudi Arabia, Egypt

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Description

The ringtailed cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, silvery to red-brown body with large eyes, two dorsal fins and a dark ring on the tail base. 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 Ringtailed cardinalfish?

The Ringtailed cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Ringtailed cardinalfish live?

The Ringtailed cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Saudi Arabia, Egypt

How big does the Ringtailed cardinalfish get?

The Ringtailed cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Ringtailed cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ringtailed 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

Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) — Apogonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) 107120830535687523870, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) emajorova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Eliot Fournial, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ringtailed cardinalfish (Nectamia annularis) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nico K. Michiels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ringtailed cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Nectamia annularis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Ringtail cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
17.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Saudi Arabia, Egypt 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 Nectamia

More from the family Apogonidae

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