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Unicolor cardinalfish (Apogon unicolor) — Apogonidae

Unicolor cardinalfish

Apogon unicolor
Family: Apogonidae

The Unicolor cardinalfish (Apogon unicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam

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Description

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

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

Where does the Unicolor cardinalfish live?

The Unicolor cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam

How big does the Unicolor cardinalfish get?

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

Is the Unicolor cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Unicolor 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Unicolor cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Apogon unicolor
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Big red cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam 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 Apogon

More from the family Apogonidae

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