Fin's Fish Guide
The Weedy cardinalfish (Foa fo) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 4 cm.
Description
The weedy cardinalfish is a small cardinalfish of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from East Africa and the Red Sea to French Polynesia, north to Japan and south to Australia. The species grows to only about 3.5 cm and has a stocky, brown mottled body with five dark irregular cross-bars and pale spots near the pectoral base and tail. It lives nocturnally in estuaries, coastal bays and on reef flats to about 80 metres depth. Like all cardinalfish the species is a mouthbrooder, with the male incubating the eggs in his mouth. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Weedy cardinalfish?
The Weedy cardinalfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Brown marbled with vertical bars; the male broods the eggs in its mouth
Where does the Weedy cardinalfish live?
The Weedy cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific
How big does the Weedy cardinalfish get?
The Weedy cardinalfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.
Is the Weedy cardinalfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Weedy 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.
Is the Weedy cardinalfish edible?
The Weedy cardinalfish is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Foa
More from the family Apogonidae
Want the complete picture on the Weedy cardinalfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Weedy cardinalfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.