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Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) — Apogonidae

Threadfin cardinalfish

Zoramia leptacantha
Family: Apogonidae

The Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) is a fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; branching coral of lagoons and reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threadfin cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and partly translucent, with a bluish sheen and a thread-like extended first dorsal fin. By day it forms dense schools that hover above and among branching coral of sheltered lagoons and reefs. At night it disperses to hunt small zooplankton. The male broods the eggs in his mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threadfin cardinalfish?

The Threadfin cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern. Partly translucent with a thread-like dorsal fin; shoals above branching coral, the male is a mouthbrooder.

Where does the Threadfin cardinalfish live?

The Threadfin cardinalfish is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; branching coral of lagoons and reefs.

How big does the Threadfin cardinalfish get?

The Threadfin cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Threadfin cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threadfin cardinalfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Threadfin cardinalfish edible?

The Threadfin cardinalfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) — Apogonidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) — Apogonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) — Apogonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Thibaud Aronson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha) — Apogonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Threadfin cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Zoramia leptacantha
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Longspine cardinalfish; Bluestreak cardinalfish; Cardinalfish; Longspine cardinal; Long-spine cardinal; Long-spine cardinalfish; Threadifn cardinalfish

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.5 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain 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

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; branching coral of lagoons and reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Partly translucent with a thread-like dorsal fin; shoals above branching coral, the male is a mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Zoramia

More from the family Apogonidae

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