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Whitethroat cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus gularis) — Apogonidae

Whitethroat cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus gularis
Family: Apogonidae

The Whitethroat cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus gularis) is a saltwater fish of the family Apogonidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
33.0–290.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Oman, Philippines, Andaman Is.

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Description

The Whitethroat cardinalfish is a cardinalfish (Apogonidae) from shallow reef and lagoon water of the western 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 Whitethroat cardinalfish?

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

Where does the Whitethroat cardinalfish live?

The Whitethroat cardinalfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, Oman, Philippines, Andaman Is.

How big does the Whitethroat cardinalfish get?

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

Is the Whitethroat cardinalfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Whitethroat 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
Whitethroat cardinalfish sourced
Scientific name
Ostorhinchus gularis
Family
Apogonidae
Other names
Gular cardinalfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 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)
33.0 verified
Max depth (m)
290.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Oman, Philippines, Andaman Is. 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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