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Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) — Apogonidae

Spotnape cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus maculiferus
Family: Apogonidae

The Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–119.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Hawaii

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Description

The Spotnape cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef and lagoon water of the waters around Hawaii in the Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky body with large eyes, two separate dorsal fins and often fine stripes or spots. As a nocturnal fish it shelters in crevices and among coral by day and hunts small plankton and crustaceans at night. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotnape cardinalfish?

The Spotnape cardinalfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Spotnape cardinalfish live?

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

How big does the Spotnape cardinalfish get?

The Spotnape cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Spotnape cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotnape 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

Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) — Apogonidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) — Apogonidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotnape cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus maculiferus) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotnape cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus maculiferus
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Spotted cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
119.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Hawaii 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 Ostorhinchus

More from the family Apogonidae

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