Apogonidae Fishes LRs
Apogonidae Fishes LRs
Apogonidae Fishes LRs
Cardinalfishes
colours, whilst some are presented with original drawings
of the types. Cardinalfishes are in principal marine, but
some are found in brackish water and one genus has fully
adapted to fresh water. They are mostly small percoid fishes
that range in size from about 6 to 20 cm, but a few are
smaller or over 20 cm long. The majority occur on reefs at
of the World
relatively shallow depths, whilst some taxa are known only
from deep trawls. Cardinalfishes are one of a few marinefish
families in which oral brooding of eggs takes place. When
spawning, eggs are released by the female in a gelatinous
mass, which is immediately fertilised by the male and
quickly taken into the mouth. Brooding males are readily
recognised by a deeply expanded mouth and developing
eggs can be seen through the skin.
Rudie H
Rudie H Kuiter
Kuiter &
& Toshikazu
Toshikazu Kozawa
Kozawa
CardinalfishesCover_CardinalfishesCover 8/09/19 7:17 PM Page 1
Cardinalfishes
colours, whilst some are presented with original drawings
of the types. Cardinalfishes are in principal marine, but
some are found in brackish water and one genus has fully
adapted to fresh water. They are mostly small percoid fishes
that range in size from about 6 to 20 cm, but a few are
smaller or over 20 cm long. The majority occur on reefs at
of the World
relatively shallow depths, whilst some taxa are known only
from deep trawls. Cardinalfishes are one of a few marinefish
families in which oral brooding of eggs takes place. When
spawning, eggs are released by the female in a gelatinous
mass, which is immediately fertilised by the male and
quickly taken into the mouth. Brooding males are readily
recognised by a deeply expanded mouth and developing
eggs can be seen through the skin.
Rudie H
Rudie H Kuiter
Kuiter &
& Toshikazu
Toshikazu Kozawa
Kozawa
ApogonidaeFishes1-21_ApogonidaeFishes1-21 8/09/19 5:18 PM Page I
Cardinalfishes
of the World
Contents
Foreword ..................................................................................1
FAMILY APOGONIDAE ....................................................................1
Key to subfamilies of Apogonidae................................................2
Key to the genera of Apogonidae ................................................2
SUBFAMILY AMIOIDINAE (2 genera) ..................................................4
Amioides Smith & Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1912......................4
Holapogon Fraser, 1973 .....................................................4
SUBFAMILY APOGONINAE
Tribe Apogonichthyini ..............................................................5
Apogonichthys Bleeker, 1854..............................................6
Foa Jordan & Evermann in Jordan & Seale, 1905 ................8
Fowleria Jordan & Evermann, 1903 ..................................12
Neamia Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 .......................................16
Ozichthys Fraser, 2014 .....................................................17
Vincentia Castelnau, 1872 ................................................18
Tribe Apogonini.....................................................................22
Apogon Lacepède, 1801 ...................................................22
T. Hirata Zapogon Fraser, 1972 .......................................................38
Astrapogon Fowler, 1907..................................................41
Paroncheilus Smith, 1964.................................................53
Phaeoptyx Fraser & Robins, 1970 .....................................43
Tribe Archamiini ....................................................................44
Archamia Gill, 1863 .........................................................44
Cardinalfishes
Taeniamia Fraser, 2013 ....................................................45
of the World Tribe Cheilodipterini...............................................................52
New edition 2019 Cheilodipterus Lacepède, 1801.........................................52
Tribe Glossamiini ...................................................................66
©1999, ©2019 Glossamia Gill, 1863 ........................................................66
Rudie H Kuiter & Toshikazu Kozawa. Yarica Whitley, 1930 ........................................................70
Tribe Gymnapogonini.............................................................71
There is no objection to copying Cercamia Randall & Smith, 1988 ......................................71
parts of this book for personal use. Gymnapogon Regan, 1905 ...............................................74
Please check with authors for other Pseudamiops Smith, 1954 ................................................77
uses – by email: Lachneratus Fraser & Struhsaker, 1991 .............................78
[email protected] Tribe Lepidamiini ...................................................................79
[email protected] Lepidamia Gill, 1863 ........................................................79
Tribe Ostorhinchini ...............................................................82
Publishers Ostorhinchus Lacepède, 1802...........................................82
Aquatic Photographics Tribe Pristiapogonini ............................................................129
Pristiapogon Klunzinger, 1870 ........................................129
PO Box 124
Pristicon Fraser, 1972 ....................................................135
Seaford, 3198
Tribe Rhabdamiini ...............................................................137
Victoria, Australia
Rhabdamia Weber, 1909 ................................................137
& Tribe Veruluxini ...................................................................140
Anthis (Nexus) Verulux Fraser, 1972 ......................................................140
1-16-1 Yabuta Tribe Siphamiini ..................................................................141
Okazaki, Aichi, 444-2137 Siphamia Weber, 1909 ...................................................141
Japan Tribe Sphaeramiini ..............................................................155
Apogonichthyoides Smith, 1949 .....................................155
Jaydia Smith, 1961 ........................................................165
Nectamia Jordan, 1917 ..................................................170
Xeniamia Jordan, 1917 ..................................................177
Pterapogon Koumans, 1933 ...........................................178
Quinca Mees, 1966 ........................................................180
Sphaeramia Fowler & Bean, 1930 ..................................180
Tribe Zoramiini....................................................................182
Fibramia Fraser & Mabuchi, 2014 ...................................182
AQUATIC Zoramia Jordan, 1917 ....................................................184
SUBFAMILY PAXTONINAE
PHOTOGRAPHICS Paxton Baldwin & Johnson, 1999 ...................................186
Subfamily PSEUDAMIINAE
Pseudamia Bleeker, 1865 ...............................................187
Acknowledgements & list of photographers ............................192
References & Literature Cited or Used ...................................193
Index ..................................................................................195
Foreword
About the book
A book on this large group of perciform fishes commonly known as cardinalfishes was first published by the
authors in 1999 on CD and in 2001 as a digital on-demand printed hard copy. Since then the classification
of the Apogonidae family has advanced greatly whilst in addition many new discoveries have been made and
this publication is a taxonomically updated and greatly expanded pictorial guide. The scope of illustrating the
species in living colours and in situ remains the same, with images of freshly caught specimens as an option.
We have attempted to illustrate every species with multiple images from the different areas around the world
with the cooperation of the many underwater photographers familiar with these fishes. To ensure the use of
the correct name of the particular species, we made special efforts to consult original descriptions and to
photograph the species from or near the type-localities. For some particular species we have travelled to the
type-localities or the nearest areas that represents the same kind of fauna to secure photographs. The work
is based on detailed studies of the Apogonidae with the advice of recognised experts of various Apogonidae
groups and completion of this new edition was only made possible with photographs generously supplied by
more than 100 divers, ichthyologists and collectors from around the world. Taxonomic problems remain
among several tribes and there is uncertainty of some species in their classification. As taxonomic decisions
in recent works are not always agreed with, names of a some species used by us may differ from the those
of the reviewers and placement to genus needs to be verified for some. Final taxonomic decisions in this
book are made by the authors.
We have followed the most recent classification based on molecular analysis presented by currently recognised
“world experts” on the Apogonidae (Mabuchi et al, 2014), and used associated taxa data presented in the
Catalog of Fishes. Subfamilies, tribes and genera are largely presented in alphabetic order, but species in an
order that accommodates the similar taxa together or in groups, such as species-complexes. Undetermined
and undescribed species are included in the generic sections. Each genus has a brief introduction that gives
the type species, author and date, the name gender, the number of species and provides a basic description,
diagnostics and general information known to date. Details for each species includes present scientific and
vernacular name, original name as described, author and date, their distribution and general information,
including useful comments on similar species or synonymy. Images are captioned with scientific name,
photo-locality, and credited with the photographers initials that are listed in alphabetic order following
acknowledgements. A full index to scientific and common names is provided. References given in the text to
books or papers are listed under References & Literature Cited or Used. For complete taxa citations see:
Catalog of Fishes online (http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp).
Family APOGONIDAE
The Apogonidae family with 40 genera comprises 4 subfamilies of which Apogoninae is the largest by far,
divided into many tribes, in 36 genera and has almost 350 described species worldwide (Mabuchi et al,
2014), but many more taxa are known that are undescribed. The members are variously coloured, spotted,
striped or banded in the Indo-West Pacific, whilst in the Atlantic most Apogon taxa are bright red in colour,
hence their common name cardinalfishes. The other subfamilies are small with one or two genera.
Cardinalfishes feature an oval to elongate compressed scaly body, large mouth, have large prominent eyes,
and two dorsal fins, that are short-based often tall that are distinctly separate, with the exception of the
monotypic Paxtoninae, which has a single dorsal-fin. They are a diverse group of perciform, generally
inshore marine reef-dwelling fishes in tropical waters. Most genera members inhabit shallow environments,
live on or near coral and rocky reefs, but some live on muddy substrates, or enter brackish and freshwater.
Only those of the genus Glossamia are fully adapted to freshwater. Vincentia members are endemic to
Australia’s southern temperate waters and a few other genera range to warm-temperate zones or live in deep
water. Most deepwater dwellers are not well known, some taxa from single specimens only.
Many species are secretive, hiding among corals and in caves, crevices, and remain under ledges during the
day and are active at night, but some are opportunistic feeders, school at any time of the day and are active
depending on tidal currents that carry zoo-plankton. Most feeding activities are at night, but some taxa that
are involved in some kind of mimicry with daytime-active fishes are diurnal, swimming openly about over
open substrates. A few of the taxa form large schools during the day. Some species have bioluminescent
organs, producing light either with or without symbiotic bacteria. All known species are reputed to be oral
brooding and their dispersal is limited to the level of development of fry. A few taxa nurse the hatchlings in
the mouth that settle on the substrate and these are locally endemic, whilst species with a minimal hatchling
development have a long pelagic stage and are widespread by oceanic currents.
Cardinalfishes of the World – Kuiter & Kozawa 1
ApogonidaeFishes1-21_ApogonidaeFishes1-21 8/09/19 5:18 PM Page 2
*Species of Neamia have fused hypurals 2 + 3 and 4 + 5; Species of Fowleria have 5 free hypurals
Not included here, described since the key was published: Ozichthys, which differs from Vincentia in the number of pectoral
fin-rays 17–19 versus 14–16, and Xeniamia atrithorax collected with shrimp trawls from depths of 70–119 m in the China
Sea. It belongs in the Siphamiini and may be closely related to Jaydia.
caudal fin
soft rayed
pectoral fin
soft rayed
anal fin
2 spines + soft rays
ventral fin
(pelvic fin)
1 spine + soft rays
SUBFAMILY AMIOIDINAE
Comprises two monotypic genera: Amioides and Holapogon.
A B
Amioides polyacanthus China Seas. ZUK Amioides polyacanthus Taiwan. WCC
C
Amioides polyacanthus Collected from 77 m. Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia. MVE
SUBFAMILY APOGONINAE
SUBFAMILY APOGONINAE comprises 14 tribes:
APOGONICHTHYINI .......5 GLOSSAMIINI .............66 PRISTIAPOGONINI .....129 SPHAERAMIINI .........155
APOGONINI ...............22 GYMNAPOGONINI .......71 RHABDAMIINI ..........137 ZORAMIINI ..............182
ARCHAMIINI ..............44 LEPIDAMIINI ..............79 VERULUXINI............140
CHEILODIPTERINI........52 OSTORHINCHINI .........82 SIPHAMIINI .............141
TRIBE APOGONICHTHYINI
Comprises five genera: Apogonichthys, Foa, Fowleria, Neamia, and Vincentia.
Diagnosis D. VII(I) or VIII+I,7–10; A. II,7–9; head and body with ctenoid scales; pored lateral-line scales,
3–24, scales not pored with groove or pit in scale; preopercle smooth on ridge, serrate or smooth on edges,
where smooth a narrow weakly ossified to unossified flap; three supraneurals; supramaxilla narrow, reduced
or absent; basisphenoid reduced or absent; one pair of uroneurals present; three epurals; five free hypurals
or 1–2 fused and 3–4 fused, one or more fused to terminal centrum; free parhypural; caudal fin emarginate,
truncate or rounded; head and body reddish, brownish or blackish without stripes, often with pale or dark
spots on body (after Mabuchi et al, 2014).
Three-spot Cardinalfish
Apogonichthys perdix
Amia perdix Bleeker, 1854. Flores, Indonesia.
Widespread Indo West-Pacific, known from the eastern
Indian Ocean and tropical central West Pacific. Usually
shallow on reefs, secretive in macro-algae and rubble
habitats. D VII, but may have a minute 8th spine, well
hidden under skin. First dorsal fin angular and caudal fin
rounded. Colour tan to reddish with irregular spotting.
Often with 3 small but distinct white spots, one at each
end of dorsal and anal-fin bases, and one basicaudal in
A centre. Length to about 50–60 mm.
Apogonichthys perdix Type, Flores, Indonesia. After Bleeker
B C
Apogonichthys perdix Nha Trang, Vietnam. RWI Apogonichthys perdix Nusa Penida, Bali. GRA
D E
Apogonichthys perdix Taiwan. PCH Apogonichthys waikiki Marquesas Islands. JTW
A B
Apogonichthys waikiki Hawaiian Islands. JER Apogonichthys waikiki Hawaiian Islands. JHO
B C
Apogonichthys ocellatus Marquesas, French Polynesia. B JTW C JER
A B
Foa brachygramma Night. Hawaii. JER Foa brachygramma Night. Kewalo, Hawaii. JHO
Fo Cardinalfish Foa fo
Foa fo Jordan & Seale, 1905. Negros, Cavite, Luzon Island,
Philippines, Manila Bay, South China Sea, western Pacific.
A common widespread Indo-West Pacific species with similar
siblings in many parts of the Indo-Pacific. Very cryptic and
usually occurs on open soft bottom in macro-algae rubble and
soft coral habitats. Brown to near black colour with indistinct
darker banding and white speckles, a white axil spot and like
several congeners with 3 white spots on caudal fin base. First
dorsal and ventral fins similarily coloured to body. Attains
about 40 mm.
A
Foa fo Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Foa fo Males with oral brood. B Philippines. C Ningaloo, Western Australia. B PWO C GJW
E
Foa fo Milne Bay, PNG. RCS
D F
Foa fo Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
G H
Foa fo Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. TKO Foa fo Naama Bay, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Foa landoni Northern Sulawesi. BLA Foa landoni Night. Philippines. TKO
B C
Foa yamba C juvenile. Sydney, Australia. RHK
Foa nivosa Ngeruketabel Island, Palau. RWI Foa leisi Paratype. Haurei Bay, Rapa Iti. JTW
A B
Foa sp. 3. Okinawa, Japan. AMI Foa sp. 3. Kalimantan Island, Malaysia. KNI
B C
Foa madagascariensis Dahab, Egypt, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Foa hyalina Juvenile. Palau, Micronesia. HNA Foa hyalina Madang, PNG. GRA
A B
Fowleria aurita Red Sea. SBO Fowleria aurita Comores. PCH
C D
Fowleria aurita Kerama, Japan. AON Fowleria aurita Cocos Island, Indian Ocean. GRA
A
Fowleria marmorata Lizard Island, Queensland. RHK
B C
Fowleria marmorata Red Sea. SBO Fowleria marmorata Madang, PNG. GRA
B C
Fowleria isostigma Red Sea. SBO Fowleria isostigma Lizard Island, Queensland. RHK
D E
F. isostigma Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia. JTW Fowleria isostigma Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Fowleria variegata Night. Amami Island, Japan. HDO Fowleria variegata Okinawa, Japan. TKO
C D
Fowleria variegata (plain form) Red Sea. SBO Fowleria variegata Sydney Harbour, Australia. RHK
A B
Fowleria sp. 1. Anilao, Philippines. ARY Fowleria sp. 2. Okinawa, Japan. TKO
B C
Fowleria amblyuroptera A & B females. C male with oral brood. Gilimanuk and Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Fowleria flammea A holotype B aquarium, Philippines. A GRA B TKO
A B
Fowleria vaiulae Type-form. French Polynesia. JTW Fowleria vaiulae Bali, Indonesia RHK
C D
Fowleria vaiulae Bali, Indonesia. RHK Fowleria vaiulae var. Flores, Indonesia RHK
E F
Fowleria vaiulae var. Maldives. RHK Fowleria vaiulae var. Bali, Indonesia RHK
G H
Fowleria vaiulae var. Kerama, Japan. AON Fowleria vaiulae Comores. 12 mm SL. PCH
I J
Fowleria vaiulae var. abocellata Red Sea. I SBO J JHI
B C
Neamia octospina Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia. GRA Neamia octospina Farasan Island, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Neamia articycla Indonesia. MVE Neamia articycla Mindanao, Philippines. JTW
C
Neamia articycla Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. GRA
B C
Neamia notula Bali, Indonesia. GRA
Cream-spotted Cardinalfish
Ozichthys albimaculosus
Apogon albimaculosus Kailola, 1976.
Northern Australia.
Known from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Generally reported from 7–37 m, living on soft bottom,
but may be trawled much deeper (62 m). Pale brownish
with cream spots. A short black band from eye to origin
of lateral line and darks spots on median fins. Second
dorsal and anal fin basally with a large yellow-edged
black spot. Length to 86 mm.
B C
Vincentia conspersa Bicheno, Tasmania. RHK Vincentia conspersa Edithburg, South Australia. RHK
D
Vincentia conspersa Female. Portsea, Port Phillip Bay. RHK
E F
Vincentia conspersa Portsea, Port Phillip Bay. RHK Vincentia conspersa Juvenile. Portsea. RHK
G H
Vincentia conspersa Flinders, Western Port. RHK Vincentia conspersa Juvenile. Portsea. RHK
I
Vincentia conspersa Male with oral brood. Blairgowrie, Port Phillip Bay. SLK
A
Vincentia badia Night. Venus Bay, SA. RHK
B C
Vincentia badia Port Victoria, SA. RHK Vincentia badia Juvenile. Pearson Island, SA. RHK
A
Vincentia punctata Rottnest Island, WA. GJW
B C
Vincentia punctata Castle Rock, WA. RHK Vincentia punctata Juvenile. Lucky Bay, WA. RHK
A B
Vincentia macrocauda A juvenile. B large adult. Esperance, Western Australia. NTS
Eastern Cobbleguts
Vincentia novaehollandiae
Apogon novaehollandiae Valenciennes, 1832.
New South Wales, Australia.
East coast of Australia, southern Queensland to central
New South Wales. Commonly occurs in Sydney
Harbour and Botany bay in caves and ledges during the
day, coming out into the open at night to feed, floating
close to the bottom. Body pale to dark coppery brown,
variably with numerous small whitish speckles, colours
may extend onto fins. Dark short dashes radiating from
behind and below the eye. Length to 10 cm.
C D
Vincentia novaehollandiae C juvenile. D male with oral brood. Sydney, NSW. RHK
Mediterranean Cardinalfish
Apogon imberbis
Mullus imberbis Linnaeus, 1758.
Malta, Mediterranean Seas.
Widespread Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic from
Portugal to Gulf of Guinea, Azores, Madeira, Canary
Islands, Cape Verde Islands. Rocky reefs, may form
large schools during the day near or in caves and under
large overhangs. Usually observed in depths of about 10
to 20 m, but reported to 200 m from trawls. Colour
plain red, with or without a black peduncular spot, which
may be lost in adults, and faint dusky band on snout to
eye. Length up to 15 cm, but commonly to 10 cm.
A
Apogon imberbis São Tomé, Africa, east Atlantic. NVR
B C
Apogon imberbis B Canary Islands, east Atlantic. C France, Mediterranean. HDE
A
Apogon maculatus Night. San Blas, Panama. GED
B C
Apogon maculatus Juvenile. Caribbean. RMY Apogon maculatus St. Vincent, Caribbean. RCS
A B
Apogon pseudomaculatus São Tomé, Africa, east Atlantic. NVR Apogon pseudomaculatus Bahamas. RMY
C D
Apogon pseudomaculatus Ascension Islands, central Atlantic. PWI Apogon pseudomaculatus Brazil, west Atlantic. ACF
A
Apogon americanus Brazil, west Atlantic. ACF
B C
Apogon americanus B night. C juvenile. Praia do Forte, São João da Mata, Bahia, Brazil, west Atlantic. ACF
A B
Apogon axillaris A St. Helena Island, central Atlantic. B Ascension Islands, central Atlantic. A RLU B PWI
Broad-saddle Cardinalfish
Apogon pillionatus
Amia pillionatus Böhlke & Randall, 1968.
North side of Cabagua Island, Margarita Island, Venezuela.
Western Atlantic, Florida Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean.
Rocky reefs, secretive in crevices. Usually deeper than
20 m and reported to 122 m depth. Colour pale pink to
orange or red, a short black bar after end of 2nd dorsal
fin, caudal-peduncle usually dusky with 2 narrow white
bars. Eye large and dark. Fins transparent pinkish. A
small species, length to 65 mm.
Apogon pillionatus Jamaica, west Atlantic. PCO
B
Apogon binotatus Bahamas, west Atlantic. RMY
A
Apogon planifrons Night. Arrraial do Cabo, Brazil. JLG
B C
Apogon planifrons B Exuma, Bahamas. C male with oral brood. Cayman, west Atlantic. B AME C CAB
D E
Apogon planifrons Night. San Andres, Colombia, Brazil, west Atlantic. ACF
A B
Apogon townsendi In front, night. San Andres, Brazil. ACF Apogon townsendi Bonaire, west Atlantic. PMA
A B
Apogon leptocaulus Montego Bay, Jamaica, west Atlantic. PCO
A B
Apogon gouldi Curaçao, west Atlantic. R&A
A
A B
Apogon phenax Night. San Andres, Brazil. ACF Apogon phenax Jamaica, west Atlantic. PCO
A B
Apogon atricaudus A Mapelo Island. B Revillagigedos Islands, Eastern Pacific. RRO
B
Apogon atradorsatus Cousins, Galápagos, Eastern Pacific. GED
A B
Apogon pacificus Isla Plata, Ecuador. GED Apogon pacificus Night. Coiba Brincanco, Panama. GED
C D
Apogon pacificus Sea of Cortez. HDE Apogon pacificus Sea of Cortez. RLU
A B
Apogon dovii Panama, East Pacific. GRA
C D
Apogon dovii Roca Coibita, Panama. GED Apogon dovii Isla Plata, Ecuador. GED
A
Apogon lachneri Night. San Andres, Colombia, Brazil. ACF
B C
Apogon lachneri Bahamas. RMY Apogon lachneri Jamaica. PCO
Apogon mosavi West Atlantic. CBA Apogon aurolineatus West Atlantic. VTR
Sawcheek Cardinalfish
Apogon quadrisquamatus
Apogon quadrisquamatus Longley, 1934.
Tortugas, Florida.
Western Atlantic, south to Brazil. Usually open bottom
at moderate depths of about 12 to 107 m in seagrasses
or associates with invertebrates, including anemones,
sponges and conch shells. Colour pale dusky bronze to
reddish with series of pale spots forming lines and a faint
pupil-size dusky blotch on caudal peduncle. First dorsal
fin with white streak on membrane following the tallest
spines. Length to about 65 mm.
A
Apogon quadrisquamatus West Atlantic. JGA
B C
Apogon quadrisquamatus Praia do Forte, São João da Mata, Bahia, Brazil. ACF
B
Apogon robbyi Among long spines of an urchin, like seen with Siphamia members in the Indo-Pacific. Caribbean. HER
B C
Apogon unicolor Palawan, Philippines. GRA Apogon unicolor Izu, Japan. HKA
B C
Apogon talboti Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. HSE Apogon talboti Red Sea. SBO
A B
Apogon dammermani Madang, PNG. GRA Apogon dammermani Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Half-banded Cardinalfish
Apogon semiornatus
Apogon semiornatus Peters, 1876. Zanzibar.
Widespread Indo-west Pacific, ranging into sub-tropical
zones on the east coast of Australia. Rocky and rubble
reefs in caves and crevices. Shallow to about 30 m
depth. Transparent grey and red, Red on snout, a short
black band from behind eye to anus and another from
above eye to caudal fin base. Length to about 75 mm.
Below juveniles sharing a crevice with a juvenile Pterois
volitans, a tropical expatrate, and a pair of pufferfish
Canthigaster calisterna, a local temperate species.
A
Apogon semiornatus Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
C
Apogon semiornatus Southern Oman. JHO
B D
Apogon semiornatus B small juveniles. Montague Island, southern NSW. D Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Apogon aff. unicolor New Caledonia. RWI Apogon sp. 2. Sydney, NSW. RHK
Apogon hypselonotus American Samoa. RCW Apogon lativittatus Marquesas Islands. SMI
B C
Apogon doryssa A/B Bali. C Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A
Apogon coccineus Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Apogon coccineus B Al Lith, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea. C Oman. B SBO C PWO
A B
Apogon susanae A French Polynesia. B Ie-jima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. A JTW B HSE
A
Apogon campbelli Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Apogon campbelli Farasan Island, Red Sea. SBO Apogon campbelli Aliwal Shoals, South Africa. RHK
A B
Apogon erythrosoma Dahab, Red Sea. SBO Apogon erythrosoma Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
A B
Apogon indicus Ryukyu Islands, Japan. HDO Apogon indicus Maldives. RHK
B C
Apogon crassiceps Surin Island, Thailand. USA Apogon crassiceps Byron Bay, NSW. BHU
A B
Apogon erythrinus Hawaiian Islands. JHO
Marquesas Ruby-cardinalfish
Apogon marquesensis
Apogon marquesensis Greenfield, 2001.
Ua Pou, Marquesas Islands.
Endemic to the Marquesas Islands. Originally collected
from cave in less than 10 m depth. Compared to similar
species the dorsal fin spines are short. Colour pale to
deep red, somewhat transparent. Length to 45 mm.
B C
Apogon marquesensis A drawing of the type-specimen. After Greenfield. B/C specimens from the Smithsonian. SMI
Dark-tail Cardinalfish
Apogon seminigracaudus
Apogon seminigracaudus Greenfield, 2007.
Vanua Levu, Fiji.
Widespread western Pacific: from southern Japan and
Philippines to Fiji, Tonga Islands and Samoa. Cryptic in
often silty coral and rubble reefs, shallow to 30 m depth,
usually solitary. Colour orange red, slightly translucent,
with dusky band on caudal peduncle fading into body
A and lower lobe of caudal fin, which is more prominent
Apogon seminigracaudus Palawan, Philippines. GRA in juveniles. Length to about 50 mm.
B C
Apogon seminigracaudus Iriomote Island, Japan. TKO Apogon seminigracaudus Kerama Island, Japan. ANO
Kominato Cardinalfish
Apogon kominatoensis
Apogon kominatoensis Ebina, 1935.
Tidepools at Kominato, Chiba.
Maybe restricted to southern Japan. Was recorded and
confused with Apogon coccineus restricted to the west
Indian Ocean region. Shallow, reported from sheltered
bays at depths of less than 5 m. Colour deep red, yellow
eye. Caudal fin with broad rounded lobes. A small red
species, length to 45 mm.
Rear-bar Cardinalfish
Apogon posterofasciatus
Apogon posterofasciatus Allen & Randall, 2002.
Florida Island, Solomon Islands.
Central west Pacific, Philippines to Solomon Islands and
Fiji. At moderate depths in 18 to 37 m depth in caves
and ledges. Body and fin colour yellowish or reddish,
slightly translucent, caudal peduncle with two faint dusky
broad bands, first partly into body, second basicaudal.
Length to about 60 mm.
A B
C D
Zapogon evermanni A–C Tulamben, Bali. Indonesia. D Maldives. RHK
A B
Zapogon isus Night. Sharm El Naga, Red Sea. ARY Zapogon isus Angarosh Reef, Red Sea. SBO
Black-fin Cardinalfish
Astrapogon puncticulatus
Apogonichthys puncticulatus Poey, 1867. Cuba.
Western Central Atlantic: Bermuda, south Florida, and
Bahamas to the Antilles, and south to Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. Prefers clear water seagrass habitats and along
reef-faces. Drifts near to the bottom in close vicinity to
their safety retreat. Often hides in empty shells and it
has been reported from mantle cavity of the conch shell
Strombus pugilis. Colour pale greyish bronze to dusky
with black and white speckles. Fins usually yellowish
with small dusky spots. Ventral fins very large, reaching
far over anal fin and colour is often more blackish.
Dorsal fin with black anterior margin. Both dorsal fins
and caudal fin may have whitish margin on lobes.
Length to about 65 mm.
A
Astrapogon puncticulatus Bahia, Brazil. ACF
B C
Astrapogon puncticulatus Key Largo, Florida. NDL Astrapogon puncticulatus Brazil, west Atlantic. JLG
Bronze Cardinalfish
Astrapogon alutus
Apogon alutus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882.
Snapper banks off Pensacola, Florida, U.S.A. (from a
fish-stomach content).
Tropical western Central Atlantic. Prefers clear waters of
oceanic islands in seagrasses to moderate depths. Body
colour, underlaying bronze, but mostly covered with
dusky and black spots, some forming short dashes.
Somewhat similar to Astrapogon puncticulatus, but
readily distinguished by the much shorter ventral fins,
only just reaching anal fin. Fins mostly dusky with fine
A black spots and shading. Length to about 65 mm.
Astrapogon alutus Bahamas, west Atlantic. LJO
B C
Astrapogon alutus West Atlantic. VTR Astrapogon alutus West Atlantic. VTR
A B
Paroncheilus affinis Cape Verde Islands, east Atlantic. PWI Paroncheilus affinis Caribbean, west Atlantic. PHU
A B
Phaeoptyx conklini West Atlantic. VTR Phaeoptyx conklini West Atlantic. VTR
A B
Phaeoptyx xenus West Atlantic. VTR Phaeoptyx xenus West Atlantic. JER
A
Phaeoptyx pigmentaria Bahia, Brazil. ACF
B C
Phaeoptyx pigmentaria Bahia, Brazil. ACF Phaeoptyx pigmentaria São Tomé, Africa, east Atlantic. NVR
B C
Archamia bleekeri C juvenile. A Maumere, Flores. B/C Singaraja, Bali. Indonesia. RHK
D E
Archamia bleekeri Singapore. GRA Archamia cf bleekeri Natal, South Africa. DPO
F G
Archamia cf bleekeri Undetermined deep-bodied high-back form. Durban harbour, South Africa. RHK
Yellow-barred Cardinalfish
Taeniamia flavofasciata
Archamia flavofasciata Gon & Randall, 2003.
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Western Indian Ocean: Eastern South Africa to
Madagascar. In sheltered bay at moderate depth on open
substrate around outcrops, In aggregations hovering
above in about 20 m depth or more. Deep-bodied and
identified by the many yellow bars over the lower sides.
A distinct black pupil-sized spot centrally on caudal-fin
base. Dorsals, anal and ventral fins with white leading
margin. Length to 85 mm.
A
B C
Taeniamia flavofasciata At type-locality. Durban, South Africa. RHK
Mozambique Cardinalfish
Taeniamia mozambiquensis
Archamia mozambiquensis Smith, 1961. Mozambique.
Western Indian Ocean, Zanzibar to Sodwana Bay.
Coastal coral reef habitats, usually in loose aggregations
with branching corals to about 15 m depth. Pale whitish
grey, bluish dorsally with 2 brown to orange longitudinal
thin lines that may break up in to a series of spots with
growth or age. A distinct pupil-sized black spot centrally
on caudal-fin base. Length to 85 mm.
A
B C
Taeniamia mozambiquensis B male with oral brood. Sodwana Bay, South Africa. A DPO B/C GRA
B C
Taeniamia leai Cook Island, northern New South Wales, Australia. ISH
B C
Taeniamia biguttata With and without basicaudal spot. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Shimmering Cardinalfish
Taeniamia lineolata
Apogon lineolatus Cuvier, 1828. Red Sea.
Red Sea, northwestern Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden.
Coastal coral reef habitats, usually in loose aggregations
in coarse rubble reefs to about 10 m depth. Out at night
over open substrate, swimming close to the bottom.
Yellow on head and over abdomen, greyish dorsally and
many reddish, thin vertical lines. Pale semitransparent
whitish grey at night, bluish dorsally with many vertical
lines formed by close-set minute black or red spots. A
large, up to eye-size basicaudal spot. Length to 85 mm. A
B
Taeniamia lineolata A night colour. Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
Kagoshima Cardinalfish
Taeniamia kagoshimana
Apogon kagoshimanus Döderlein, 1883.
Kagoshima, Japan.
North Western Pacific, Japan. Shallow coastal reef crests
among corals and in caves, usually in less than 10 m
depth. A member of the Taeniamia fucata-complex that
has the numerous orange thin vertical lines along entire
sides. Distinguished in this complex by the brownish
blotch at eye level over the first few vertical lines closely
above and behind the pectoral-fin base. Length to about
85 mm. It was previously treated as Archamia dispilus
a putative junior synonym. A
B C
Taeniamia kagoshimana A/B Iriomote Island. C Kerama Island, Japan. A KYA B AON C TKO
Faint-lined Cardinalfish
Taeniamia macroptera
Apogon macropterus Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828.
Java, Indonesia.
Widespread tropical West Pacific. Occurs in estuaries
and sheltered bays, often silted habitats. Congregates in
large schools, usually floating just above large branching
coral beds. Distinguished from the similar many-lines
species by the caudal peduncle being largely dusky to
black and without stripe across snout. Length to 10 cm.
B C
Taeniamia macroptera A Tulamben, Bali. B Maumere, Flores. C Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Taeniamia fucata Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK Taeniamia fucata Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
D E
Taeniamia fucata Queensland, Australia. RHK Taeniamia fucata Manado, Indonesia. RHK
Zanzibar Cardinalfish
Taeniamia sansibarica
Apogon (Archamia) sansibaricus Pfeffer, 1893.
Zanzibar, Tanzania, western Indian Ocean.
Western Indian Ocean, Zanzibar, Seychelles and Maldives.
Sheltered often silty coral habitats, manily in lagoons
with branching corals and large soft corals. Usually in
aggregations in shallow depths to about 6 m depth.
Similar to Taeniamia fucata, but somewhat transparent,
pale yellowish grey with numerous indistinct thin yellow
lines, Spot on centre of caudal-fin base small or absent.
Snout with yellow line across. Length to 85 mm.
A
B C
Taeniamia sansibarica Maldives. RHK
Yellow-barred Cardinalfish
Taeniamia buruensis
Apogon buruensis Bleeker, 1856.
Buru Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
West Pacific, Throughout Indonesia, Thailand and
Philippines, east to Fiji. Coastal bays and usually found
in brackish water, entering tidal portions of freshwater
streams. Forms aggregations in shallow depths to about
3 m depth. Pale, somewhat transparent creamish grey
with two black lines and a pupil-size spot centrally on end
of caudal peduncle. Length to 85 mm. A
Taeniamia buruensis Buru Island, Indonesia. After Bleeker
B
Taeniamia buruensis Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. GRA
Girdled Cardinalfish
Taeniamia zosterophora
Apogon zosterophorus Bleeker, 1856.
Ambon, Indonesia.
Tropical West Pacific with geographical variations. In
corals to 15 m depth. A pair of narrow orange to red
bars over gill-cover is typical. Also considered typical is a
broad black near-vertical band below second dorsal fin,
at slight angle to about in front of anal-fin base, but it can
be faint or completely absent. A small black spot on mid
A caudal-fin base. Length to 75 mm.
B C
Taeniamia zosterophora Flores, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Taeniamia zosterophora Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK Taeniamia zosterophora Iriomote Island, Japan. RHK
A
Taeniamia ataenia Pulau Weh, Sumatra, Indonesia. GRA
B C
Taeniamia ataenia Surin Island, Thailand. USA
Black-spot Glass-cardinalfish
Taeniamia bilineata
Archamia bilineata Gon & Randall, 1995. Red Sea.
Red Sea endemic. Usually found schooling in caves and
swimming above coral head, shallow to about 30 m
depth. Glass-like transparent with several longitudinal
black thin lines and a pupil-sized or larger spot centrally
on caudal-fin base. A small species, length to 35 mm.
C D
Taeniamia bilineata C at night. Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
A B
Taeniamia pallida Masirah Island, Oman. JER Taeniamia pallida Kenya. DGO
A favoured habitat of cardinal fishes is formed by the shading of a village jetty platform, built in protected location, the pylons
supported by rubble on the bottom. An amazing numbers of different species comprising several genera of the Apogonidae
family were mixed, filling the water column high above. Most taxa stayed near the substrate, but the dominating species
Cheilodipterus artus (Pacific form) was swimming in the open. Maumere Bay, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
52 Cardinalfishes of the World – Kuiter & Kozawa
ApogonidaeFishes44-65_ApogonidaeFishes44-65 8/09/19 5:22 PM Page 53
B C
D E
Cheilodipterus alleni B Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. C–E Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
F
Cheilodipterus alleni Typical species individual. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Pacific Tiger-cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus heptazona
Cheilodipterus heptazona Bleeker, 1849.
Jakarta, Indonesia.
Widespread West Pacific. Usually solitairy or in pairs
along reefs margins. Has 8–9 longitudinal tripes that end
abruptly to a white section of caudal peduncle. Caudal fin
base with a large black spot in centre when juvenile, base
and outer rays dusky in adults. Dorsal fin without black tip.
Head yellow in juveniles. length to at least 16 cm.
A The Pacific form of Cheilodipterus lineatus, commonly
referred to as C. macrodon, is not synonymus.
Cheilodipterus heptazona Milne Bay, PNG. RHK
B C
Cheilodipterus heptazona B Lizard Island, Queensland. C post-larval juvenile, Sydney Harbour, Australia. RHK
D E
Cheilodipterus heptazona Rowley Shoals, WA. RHK Cheilodipterus heptazona Tulamben, Bali. RHK
F
Cheilodipterus heptazona Typical Pacific form at type-locality. Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
Indian Tiger-cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus lineatus
Cheilodipterus lineatus Lacepède, 1801. Indian Ocean.
Widespread Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Usually solitairy
along drop-offs in caves. Has 8–9 longitudinal tripes that
end abruptly to a white section of caudal peduncle. Caudal
fin base with a central black spot when juvenile, often all
black in adults and outer rays black. Dorsal fin with black
tip in the Red Sea. Eye with double yellow stripe and
snout yellow in juveniles. length to 25 cm.
This taxon is generally referred to as Cheilodipterus A
macrodon, type-locality also from the Indian Ocean.
Cheilodipterus lineatus KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. DKI
B C
Cheilodipterus lineatus B at night. Typical Red Sea form. Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
D E
Cheilodipterus lineatus D post-larval juvenile. E subadult. Egypt. Red Sea. D RHK E SBO
F
Cheilodipterus lineatus Typical Indian Ocean form. Maldives. RHK
Intermediate Tiger-cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus intermedius
Cheilodipterus intermedius Gon, 1994.
Sesoko Island, Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, Japan.
West Pacific, mainly Japan and China Seas, south to
Papua New Guinea. A solitary species in rubble reefs in
sheltered habitats, deep lagoons and caves to 20 m depth.
Similar to Cheilodipterus heptazona, but caudal fin base
lacks dusky bar and instead is yellow with a small black
central spot, becoming whitish in large individuals. Outer
caudal fin rays black. Length to about 20 cm.
A
Cheilodipterus intermedius Milne Bay, PNG. RHK
B
Cheilodipterus intermedius Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI
C
Cheilodipterus intermedius Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI D
E
Cheilodipterus intermedius Male with oral brood. Typical species individual. Kashiwajima, Japan. RHK
A B
Cheilodipterus males with their oral brood. A C. lineatus in the Maldives, B C. heptazona, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. and D
C. intermedius, Japan, on opposite page. The two above species are generally lumped under the name C. macrodon as a
very widespread Indo-Pacific taxon, but they are Indian and Pacific siblings that show differences in colour and it seems in the
canines features as well. They are treated as valid taxa and both have geographical forms as well. The brood comprises a great
number of tiny eggs and fry are pelagic, dispersing of vaste distances determined by ocean currents. RHK
Singapore Tiger-cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus singaporensis
Cheilodipterus singaporensis Bleeker, 1859. Singapore.
Widespread tropical West Pacific. A coastal species in silty
habitats, among boulders in seagrass areas. Juveniles
among sea-urchin spines. Shallow to about 10 m depth.
Dusky-brown in colour with 4 longitudinal black lines and
a small black caudal-fin base spot. Juveniles with white
longitudinal line from upper of eye ending as a white spot
above the black basicaudal spot, which has some yellow
above and below. Fins plain. Length to about 20 cm. A
Cheilodipterus singaporensis Pulau Putri, Java. RHK
B
C
Cheilodipterus singaporensis B inset, small juvenile. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Arrow-tooth Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus artus
Cheilodipterus artus Smith, 1961. Seychelles.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific, but two forms: Indian (this
page) and Pacific (next page). Schooling in the Pacific,
often among staghorn corals. Forms small aggregations
along reefs in the Indian Ocean. Basicaudal spot large in
the Indian Ocean and small in the Pacific. Adults with
black band on caudal-fin base. Body lines black to orange,
alternating thin and thick in Indian Ocean and of even
A width in the Pacific. Length to about 12–20 cm.
B C
E
Cheilodipterus artus Typical Indian Ocean form. Maldives. RHK
A B
C
Cheilodipterus artus B male with oral brood. Bali, Indonesia. RHK
E
D Cheilodipterus artus Bali, Indonesia. RHK
F
Cheilodipterus artus Typical Pacific Ocean form. Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Lachner’s Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus lachneri
Cheilodipterus lachneri Klausewitz, 1959.
Al Ghardaqa, Red Sea.
A Red Sea endemic, occurring south to Sudan, but rare.
Records from elsewhere appear to be based on the
misidentification of other species. Sheltered, often silty
reef habitats. Solitaire or loose small aggregations. Has
numerous thin lines, numbers increasing with growth, up
to 13 in adults, 3 or 4 of which thickened. A large black
spot centrally on caudal-fin base surrounded by yellow in
juveniles. Length to 14 cm.
Adults have 2 or 3 over the gills versus 4 or 5 lines in the
A almost identical looking Cheilodipterus arabicus.
Cheilodipterus lachneri Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. HDE
B C
Cheilodipterus lachneri Red Sea. SBO Cheilodipterus lachneri Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
D E
Cheilodipterus lachneri Red Sea. SBO Cheilodipterus lachneri Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
F
Cheilodipterus lachneri Typical adult. Red Sea. SBO
A B
Cheilodipterus arabicus Juvenile. Red Sea. RHK Cheilodipterus arabicus Typical adult. Jeddah, Red Sea. SBO
Persian Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus persicus
Cheilodipterus persicus Gon, 1994. Persian Gulf.
Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to west of the Gulf of
Oman. Schools along reef walls in front of caves. A
whitish species with many thin black longitudinal lines,
alternating thin and thick, increasing in numbers with
growth. A large black spot centrally on caudal-fin base
with yellow surrounding blotch. Length to 15 cm.
Rarely sympatric, but similar to Cheilodipterus arabicus
and C. lachneri, adults best distinguished by their whitish
body colour. Juveniles with few lines could be mistaken for
C. quinquelineatus which is also whitish in body colour,
but basicaudal black spot is horizontally elongate.
A
Cheilodipterus persicus Male with oral brood. Oman. RFI
B C
D E
Cheilodipterus persicus B/C Di Hamri, Socotra, Arabian Seas. SBO. D/E Oman. RFI
Five-line Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Cuvier, 1828.
Society Islands.
Widespread tropical Indo-Pacific, ranging into cooler
sub-tropical zones as expatriates. Common in various
habitats from coastal, silty to outer reef walls to about
35 m depth. Single or in small aggregations in corals or
caves. Colour white with 4 distinct black longitudinal
lines along side, a fifth ventrally. A large bright yellow
blotch at end of caudal peduncle and onto fin base with
A a smaller than pupil-size round black spot centrally at
level just above mid-lateral line. Length to 10 cm.
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Rowley Shoals, WA. RHK Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Sydney. RHK
D
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Cheilodipterus sp. 1. Calamain Island, Philippines. NBA Cheilodipterus sp. 1. Coron Lake, Philippines. GRA
Toothy Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus isostigma
Cheilodipterus isostigma Schultz, 1940.
New Guinea.
West Pacific, Philippines to Australia and Fiji in the
South Pacific. Clear coastal to outer reef lagoon
slopes with rich coral growth, usually among staghorn
corals. Similar to Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus in
which mid-lateral line lines up with lower edge of the
tail-spot, whilst in this species it lines up with centre.
This species has large canines in the inner part of the
lower jaw. Length to 11 cm.
A
Cheilodipterus isostigma Maldives. RHK
B C
Cheilodipterus isostigma Maldives. RHK Cheilodipterus isostigma Rowley Shoals, WA. RHK
D
Cheilodipterus isostigma Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Cheilodipterus cf. isostigma Egypt, Red Sea. FLI Cheilodipterus cf. isostigma Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
Dwarf Toothy-cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus pygmaios
Cheilodipterus pygmaios Gon, 1994. Red Sea.
A Red Sea endemic. Various habitats from coastal, silty to
coral outcrops, seen to about 40 m depth. Solitary or in
small aggregations. Colour white with 4 relatively thick
distinct black longitudinal lines along side, a fifth ventrally.
A bright yellow blotch at end of caudal peduncle with a
small black spot centrally and dorsally. Length to 7 cm.
Very similar to Cheilodipterus novemstriatus, but a
A much smaller species and 4th line is of even thickness.
Cheilodipterus pygmaios Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Cheilodipterus pygmaios Red Sea. SBO Cheilodipterus pygmaios Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
Five-line Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus novemstriatus
Cheilodipterus novemstriatus Rüppell, 1838. Red Sea.
Known only from the Red Sea and Arabian seas. Found
on protected shallow reefs to about 10 m depth. Usually
seen seeking shelter among long-spined sea-urchins in
small aggregations. Colour whitish with 4 distinct black
longitudinal lines along side, a fifth ventrally. Fourth line
with thickened section over abdomen. Caudal-fin base
with a small black spot centrally, a yellow one above and
A topped by a second small black spot. Length to 10 cm.
Cheilodipterus novemstriatus Red Sea. SBO
B
Cheilodipterus novemstriatus Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Model Meiacanthus grammistes Indonesia. RHK Cheilodipterus nigrotaeniatus Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. RHK
Mimic Cardinalfish 2
Cheilodipterus zonatus
Cheilodipterus zonatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912.
Rita Island, Philippines.
West Pacific, Philippines, Malaysia and Solomon Islands.
Swims openly about during the day over open substrate.
This form mimics the saber-toothed blenny Meiacanthus
geminatus. Ventrally yellow from below black mid-lateral
stripe, white above and dusky dorsally. Length 10 cm.
Mimic Cardinalfish 3
Cheilodipterus parazonatus
Cheilodipterus parazonatus Gon, 1994.
Zamboanga, Philippines.
West Pacific, Philippines to southern Indonesia. Swims
openly about during the day over open substrate. Mimics
the saber-toothed blenny Meiacanthus vittatus. Similar to
Cheilodipterus zonatus, but ventrally white, midlateral
line is of variable width with a white narrow border or line A
dorsally and back uniformly grey above. Length 10 cm. Cheilodipterus parazonatus Milne Bay, PNG. RHK
B C
Model Meiacanthus vittatus Milne Bay, PNG. RHK Cheilodipterus parazonatus Solomon Islands. SPO
Australian Mouth-almighty
Glossamia aprion
Apogon aprion Richardson, 1842. Port Essington, NT.
Freshwater of tropical Australia and southern-central New
Guinea. A solitary species favouring still environments
such as lake margins and swamps, but it also occurs in
flowing streams. Males orally incubate eggs, numbering
several hundreds, about 3 mm in diameter. Colour greyish
brown with distinct mottled pattern, often with 3 irregular
dark bars on body, one below each dorsal fin and one on
base of caudal fin. Also an oblique bar from snout through
A eye and a conspicuous small black spot in whitish patch
Glossamia aprion Kakadu, Northern Territory. NLI below eye. Length to 20 cm, usually to 10 cm.
B C
Glossamia aprion Daintree River, Queensland. RCS Glossamia aprion Timika, Irian Jaya. GRA
D E
Glossamia aprion Lake Echam, Queensland. PWO Glossamia aprion Juvenile. Lake Bariene, Qld. GRA
Timika Mouth-almighty
Glossamia timika
Glossamia timika Allen, Hortle & Renyaan, 2000.
Minajerwi River system, Papua, Indonesia.
Freshwaters of the Timika area, Irian Jaya. Favours small
streams flowing through primary rainforest. It sometimes
shares this habitat with Glossamia sandei. Similar to G.
trifasciata, but has extra, narrower bars between the
three primary body bars. The pattern is consistant in both
juveniles and adults. Length to 12 cm.
B C
Glossamia timika B juvenile. Timika, Irian Jaya. GRA
Three-bar Mouth-almighty
Glossamia trifasciata
Apogon trifasciatus Weber, 1913.
Lorentz River, Irian Jaya.
Freshwaters of southern New Guinea and Irian Jaya. A
solitary species found in rivers, small creeks and swamps.
Often in streamside vegetation or log jams. A stocky
species, pale brownish with 3 blackish bars, frequently
with bronze, golden yellowish hue on breast and
abdomen. Eggs about 2.5 mm in diameter, hatchlings 10
mm long are well developed, exhibiting the characteristic
body bars of adults. Length to 13 cm. A
B
Glossamia trifasciata B Hatchlings, 10 mm long. Ningurum, PNG. GRA
Slender Mouth-almighty
Glossamia narindica
Apogon narindica Roberts, 1978.
Middle Fly River, Papua New Guinea.
Freshwaters of southern-central New Guinea. A poorly
known fish, less than 20 specimens have been collected,
all from the Bensback and Middle Fly Rivers. Has a more
slender body than its congeners. Occurs in swamps and
along edges of streams among aquatic vegetation and log
debris. Colour brown with silvery reflections on head and
lower sides. Length to 13 cm.
Glossamia narindica Fly River, PNG. GRA
A B
Glossamia sandei Timika, Irian Jaya. GRA
A B
Glossamia wichmanni A male. B female. PNG. GRA
Gjellerup’s Mouth-almighty
Glossamia gjellerupi
Apogon gjellerupi Weber & de Beaufort, 1929.
Sepik & Mamberamo Rivers, New Guinea.
Freshwaters of northern New Guinea. Most common
Glossamia from the Markham River, Papua New Guinea
to the Mamberamo, Irian Jay, in elevation up to 600 m.
River A solitary species in most habitats. Hatchlings well
developed with a prominent orange yolk-sac. Similar to
Glossamia wichmanni, but usually has more oblique
bands on the body. Length to 18 cm.
Apogon abo Herre, 1936 (described from the Sepik River)
Glossamia gjellerupi Pagwi, PNG. GRA is a junior synonym.
A B
Glossamia heurni A juvenile. Siewa, Wapoga River system. GRA
A B
Glossamia beauforti A Lake Sentani. B Dabra Mamberamo. GRA
Arguni Mouth-almighty
Glossamia arguni
Glossamia arguni Hadiaty & Allen, 2011.
Wahisewar River, Arguni Bay region.
West Papua Province, Indonesia. Known only from the
Arguni Bay region’s freshwater streams, which represents
the farthest west record for the genus in the region of
New Guinea and lays approximately 130 km north-west
of Lake Yamur, previous limit of distribution. Colour grey
with a tinge of brown and a pattern of dark-dusky blotching
along the back and forming broad bars below lateral line.
Length to 12 cm.
A
B C
Glossamia arguni A/C adults. B juvenile. Arguni Bay region. GRA
Humpbacked Cardinalfish
Yarica hyalosoma
Apogon hyalosoma Bleeker, 1852. Singapore.
Widespread tropical Indo-West Pacific, Japan to Australia
and west to Africa. Lives in mangrove habitats, entering
freshwater streams. Colour greyish, dusky dorsally silvery
below. Reflective silvery on side of head. Membrane after
2nd spine on dorsal fin black. A peduncular black spot
variable from pupil to eye diameter size, which may relate
to habitat if a single taxon. Distinguished from Glossamia
by the much larger scales, a basicaudal spot and opercle
edges are serrate versus smooth. Length to 17 cm.
Very similar to Fibramia amboinensis of the tribe
A
Zoramiini that also lives in mangrove habitats.
Yarica hyalosoma Aquarium, Townsville, Qld. RHK
B C
Yarica hyalosoma Small basicaudal spot form. Phuket, Thailand. USA
D
Yarica hyalosoma Large basicaudal spot form (Y. torresiensis). Darwin, from small tidal creek. NLI
A B
Cercamia cladara Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA Cercamia cladara. Bali, Indonesia. RHK
C
Cercamia cladara Ishigaki Island, Japan. TKO
Black-belly Cardinalfish
Cercamia melanogaster
Cercamia melanogaster Allen, Erdman & Mahardini, 2015.
West Papua Province, Indonesia.
West Pacific, Papua New Guinea. Solitary, drifting close
to substrate near reefs at night in depths of about 10 to
40 m. D, VI–I,9; A. II,11–13; P. 9–11. Body glass-like
transparent, red band on snout and behind eye, stomach
A region black with a thin white line from top of eye towards
anus. Eyes dusky yellow. Length to 45 mm.
Cercamia melanogaster Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua. GRA
B
Cercamia melanogaster West Papua Province, Indonesia. GRA
B
Cercamia sp. 1. Milne Bay, PNG. PWO
B C
Cercamia eremia Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua. GRA Cercamia eremia Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Cercamia sp. 2. Dahab, Red Sea. SBO Cercamia sp. 2. Al Wajh, Red Sea. SBO
D
Cercamia sp. 2. A & D Obhur, Red Sea. SBO
Japanese Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon japonicus
Gymnapogon japonicus Regan, 1905.
Inland Sea, Japan.
West Pacific, Southern Japan and Philippines. Secretive,
usually only collected with chemicals. Semi-transparent
whitish. The adult looks superficially somewhat like a
goby. Caudal fin rounded. Length to 9 cm.
Gymnapogon japonicus Shimane Prefecture, Japan. TSU
Philippines Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon philippinus
Henicichthys philippinus Herre, 1939.
Luzon Island, Philippines.
Western Pacific: Indonesia and Philippines north to
Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
Shallow water, including tidepools. Plain semi-transparent
whitish. Rounded snout. Caudal fin forked with rounded
lobes. Length to 9 cm.
Gymnapogon philippinus Ambon, Indonesia. ARY
Australian Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon annona
Gymnapogon annona Whitley, 1936.
Lindeman Island, Queensland, Australia.
West Pacific, reported from Queensland and probably
occurs in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Secretive,
usually only collected with chemicals from shallow coastal
reefs. Length to about 50 mm.
Gymnapogon annona Holotype. after Whitley
African Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon africanus
Gymnapogon africanus Smith, 1954. Mozambique.
Western Indian Ocean species. Smith's description of
Gymnapogon africanus in part: Transparent, colour
being visible: only the pupil, the aliments, a red arterial
axial streak and melanophores chiefly on the occiput with
a group of some on the snout. Shallowly forked caudal
Gymnapogon africanus Oman. JER fin. Length to about 50 mm.
A B
Gymnapogon sagittarius A Milne Bay. Papua New Guinea. B Raja Ampat, West Papua. GRA
Highfin Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon velum
Gymnapogon velum Fraser, 2019. Western Australia
Only known from two trawled specimens off northern
west and east Australia in 50–60 m depth. The species is
named velum (Latin: sail) in reference to the long and
deep dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin is rounded. Length
to about 60 mm.
Gymnapogon velum Holotype. Fins partly reconstructed. CSIRO
B-spot Naked-cardinalfish
Gymnapogon vanderbilti-complex
Gymnapogon vanderbilti Fowler, 1938. Kiritimati.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific, but comprises a species
complex. Its members sharing the B-shaped basicaudal
spot. Secretive, usually only collected with chemicals from
shallow coastal reefs. Pelagic larval stages have very long
ventral fins and some of these may have long extended A
rays. Length to about 50 mm.
Gymnapogon vanderbilti Adult. Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Gymnapogon sp. Marquesas Isands. SMI Gymnapogon sp. Flores, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Gymnapogon sp. Philippines. LWI Gymnapogon sp. Comores Islands. RWI
F G
Gymnapogon sp. Mauritius. PCH Gymnapogon sp. Post-larval. Comoros Islands. RWI
A B
Gymnapogon sp. 1. Post-larval. Japan. HKO Gymnapogon sp. 1. Pelagic stage. Japan. RMI
C D
E
Gymnapogon sp. 2. Pelagic stage. Japan. RMI
F
Gymnapogon sp. 3. Pelagic stage. Solomon Islands. MSC
G
Gymnapogon sp. 4. Pelagic stage. Coral Sea. GED
Limpid Cardinalfish
Pseudamiops pellucidus
Pseudamiops pellucidus Smith, 1954.
Malindi, Kenya, western Indian Ocean.
Western Indian Ocean: South and eastern Africa to
Madagascar. A slender species, long caudal-peduncle and
caudal-fin strongly rounded. Length to about 50 mm.
Slender-tail Cardinalfish
Pseudamiops gracilicauda
Gymnapogon gracilicauda Lachner, 1953.
Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Indo-West Pacific: Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands
(eastern Indian Ocean) east to Marshall Islands and Rapa,
north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia
and New Caledonia. Transparent, with slight pinkish hue.
This species has a very long caudal peduncle and a large
Pseudamiops gracilicauda Guam, Micronesia. DBU rounded caudal fin. Length to about 50 mm.
Transparent Cardinalfish
Pseudamiops diaphanes
Pseudamiops diaphanes Randall, 1998.
Makaha, Oahu Island, Hawaiian Islands.
Central Pacific: Johnston Atoll and Hawaiian Islands.
Glass-like transparent except for internal organs and the
blackish vertebral column. Rarely seen during the day.
Drifts high above the bottom at night in the pursuit of
zooplankton. Length to about 40 mm.
Springer’s Cardinalfish
Pseudamiops springeri
Pseudamiops springeri Gon & Bogorodsky, 2013.
Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt.
Red Sea endemic, collected from Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt
and Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia. All specimens were collected
as solitary from deep crevices in the reef in depths of
5–18 m. Length to 40 cm.
Pseudamiops springeri Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia. SBO
B C
Lepidamia kalosoma Brunei. GRA Lepidamia kalosoma Taiwan. WCC
D E
D Lepidamia kalosoma Banka, NE Sumatra. E L. noordzieki Java, south coast. After Bleeker
B C
Lepidamia omanensis Juvenile. Shuway'ir, Oman. JER Lepidamia omanensis Juvenile. Oman. PWO
Small-scale Cardinalfish
Lepidamia multitaeniata
Apogon multitaeniatus Cuvier, 1828. Red Sea.
Endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Shallow in few
metres depth, living in dark holes and reef-crevices. Red
with this dusky lines along scale rows. Pre-dorsal scales
3–6. LL 36–40. P. 14. Up to 9 scale-rows below lateral
line. Juveniles have three black stripes along sides, a black
spot below each dorsal-fin base, and a large blotch on the
centre of the peduncle and caudal-fin base. Fins deep red
A in adults. Length to 16 cm.
B C
Lepidamia multitaeniata C juvenile. Farasan Island. Red Sea. SBO
B C
Lepidamia cf. omanensis Trawled, large adults. Pakistan. MEH
D E
Lepidamia cf. omanensis Oman. JER Lepidamia cf. omanensis Oman. JER
F G
Lepidamia cf. omanensis F juvenile. G subadult. Hurghada, Red Sea. DKI
H I
Lepidamia cf. omanensis Shuway'ir, Oman. JER Lepidamia cf. omanensis India. JER
The genus Ostorhinchus comprises many clades that may be assigned to subgenera or other genera in the future.
The status of many species remain uncertain, often forming complexes comprising similar members. Many of the
treated synonyms may need to be revisited as some names, such as Apogon fasciatus, or A. cyanosoma, were
commonly applied to similar looking, but different species as a ‘catch all’ and as widespread Indo-Pacific taxa, but
many of the complex-members appear to have a limited geographical range and due to erroneous synonymy some
of the recently described species were possibly named a long time ago.
Short-tooth Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus apogonoides
Cheilodipterus apogonoides Bleeker, 1856.
Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific. Inshore, harbours and
lagoons to outer reef habitats along drop-offs in caves to
about 50 m depth, usually in pairs. Juveniles expatriate
to subtropical water, commonly found in the Sydney
region among boulders on rocky reefs. Plain yellow to
orange, greyish dorsally. Double blue line from snout
though eye over head followed by blue spots scattered
centrally on body, black or brown on snout between the
lines. Length to 10 cm. A
Ostorhinchus apogonoides Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus apogonoides Sydney, Australia. RHK Ostorhinchus apogonoides Maldives. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus apogonoides Bali, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus apogonoides Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus komodoensis Komodo, Indonesia. A GRA B TTO
Ring-tail Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus aureus
Ostorhinchus aureus Lacepède, 1802.
Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific. Inshore, harbours and
lagoons to outer reef habitats to about 30 m depth.
Small juveniles solitary. Adults in pairs or form large
schools in caves and in the water column above outcrops
in tidal zones to feed on zooplankton when the currents
are running. Colour orange-yellow, black nose stripe
running over eye with blue edges, grey dorsally and large
adults have a broad black basicaudal bar usually with
concave sides. Length to about 13 cm.
Brood comprises numerous tiny eggs. Hatchlings poorly
developed and have a long pelagic stage, expatriating
A over vast geographical regions by surface currents.
C
B Ostorhinchus aureus Juvenile. Sydney, Australia. RHK
D E F
Ostorhinchus aureus A pair. B/D male with fresh oral brood. E/F brood near hatching stage. Bali, Indonesia. RHK
G H
Ostorhinchus aureus G in cave. Milne Bay, PNG. H feeding high up in water column. Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Flower Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus fleurieu
Ostorhinchus fleurieu Lacepède, 1802. Pacific Ocean.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific. Inshore, harbours and
lagoons to outer reef habitats to about 35 m depth. Both
juvenile and adults may form large schools. Adults often
high above outcrops during the day in tidal currents
when feeding on zooplankton. Pinkish to yellow with a
black stripe on nose through eye with bluish white lines
as borders, and a black basicaudal spot, variable from
pupil to eye-size, sometimes forming a band. This
species is virtually identical to Ostorhinchus aureus, but
in O. aureus the black peduncular band is larger with
concave sides. When sympatric in areas the variations in
the band can make it difficult to distinguish between
them (E). Length to about 13 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus fleurieu Durban, South Africa. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus fleurieu Durban, South Africa. RHK Ostorhinchus fleurieu Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus fleurieu Oman. RFI Ostorhinchus fleurieu or O. aureus Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus microspilus Lombok, Indonesia. A TTO B JER
Capricorn Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus capricornis
Apogon capricornis Allen & Randall, 1993.
One Tree Island, Queensland, Australia.
East coast of Australia from tropical southern
Queensland to Montague Island, in southern NSW.
Sheltered rocky or coral reef habitats, shallow coastal to
deep offshore. Adults usually in pairs or small groups.
Small juveniles form aggregation in caves. Similar to
Ostorhinchus apogonoides, but the sides have narrow
yellow bars and also has a pupil-sized black basicaudal
spot. Length to about 10 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus capricornis Keppel Island, Queensland. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus capricornis From type-locality. RHK Ostorhinchus capricornis Juvenile. Sydney. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus capricornis D adult. E small juveniles in cave. Montague Island, southern NSW, Australia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus flavus Lord Howe Island. A ESC B MPF
A B
Ostorhinchus nigrocinctus Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
A B
C
Ostorhinchus norfolcensis A Lord Howe Island. B adult. C schooling. Norfolk Island. A/C MPF B RCS
Many cardinal fishes are highly localised, which is related to oral brooding and the level of parental care. The species that
produce few and highly developed eggs, some may even take care of their offspring for a short period, are highly localised
and endemic to very small areas. Minimal differences on a genetical level between populations of the same species may
occur because of oral brooding and their limited larval dispersal. In contrast, species such as Ostorhinchus aureus produce
numerous tiny eggs that hatch less developed fry may have a long planktonic pelagic stage and consequently are dispersed
over vast geographical regions. Whilst based on distinctive differences in the striped pattern it is clear that the O. fasciatus
group comprises many different species, that may need to be backed up with a DNA study to satisfy the skeptics. Even
among the species shown here with multiple images it is likely that more cryptic taxa are present. Unpublished molecular
studies revealed that in the China Seas there are at least 4 potential ‘fasciatus’ species present (Bogorodsky, pers. comm.).
Typical adult Ostorhinchus fasciatus Freshly preserved specimen. Vaucluse Bay, Sydney Harbour. RHK
A grey fish, whitish ventrally. The black midlateral-line has a white line edging ventrally which the lacks bars or spots below,
seen in several tropical taxa, but may have a faint dark stripe there instead. It has a thin black line from the top of the eye
over the straight section lateral-line which is not present in most other ‘fasciatus’ species. A black line from nape runs curved
along contour of back above the lateral-line on upper sides, ending dorsally on caudal peduncle to fin-base. It has a thin
white line above, but lacks the black line above along dorsal-fin bases present in some similarly striped species.
B C
E F
Ostorhinchus fasciatus E juvenile. Sydney Harbour. F male with oral brood. Port Stephens. A–E RHK F DHA
Elizabeth’s Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus elizabethae
Apogon elizabethae Jordan & Seale, 1905. Hong Kong.
Coastal China Seas. Grey dorsally with black and white
lines. Mid-lateral line from tip of snout, through eye to
caudal-fin margin, usually slightly curved up centrally,
ventrally with white and dark bars. No short line from
above eye on to the lateral line. A black line from over
nape to caudal peduncle. No black line along dorsal-fin
bases. A white thin line closely above each black line.
Fins marked as in type, ventral-tip dusky. Length to 9 cm.
Not a synonym of Apogon fasciatus (Shaw, 1790), but
A Ostorhinchus pleuron (Fraser, 2005) looks identical and
Ostorhinchus elizabethae Type-locality, Hong Kong. RYU appears to be synonymus.
B C
Ostorhinchus elizabethae Type illustration. After J&S Ostorhinchus elizabethae Hong Kong. RCH
D E
Ostorhinchus elizabethae (O. pleuron paratype) Vietnam. RWI Ostorhinchus elizabethae Hong Kong. KUC
B C
Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-1. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-1. Philippines. ARY
B C
D
Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-2. A males. B juvenile. C male. D pair, female on right. Tomini Bay, Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-3. Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
Pearly-striped Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus quadrifasciatus
Apogon quadrifasciatus Cuvier, 1828. India.
Indian Ocean, Africa and east to Bali, Indonesia, Red
Sea and Mediterranean immigrant. Coastal, shallow to
deep water on muddy bottom. Grey with two black lines.
Mid-lateral line straight, from tip of snout, through eye
to caudal-fin margin, bordered by white line below, lines
may faint on posterior part of body in adults. Pearly lines
bordering lateral-line, offset on crossing descend. A
black line over nape reaching upper of caudal peduncle,
A pearly line closely above, no black line along dorsal-fin
bases. Fins reddish in adults. Ventrals with a distinct
A white leading edge. Length to about 12 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus quadrifasciatus Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK O. quadrifasciatus Trawled, 12 cm. Pakistan. HBO
D E
Ostorhinchus quadrifasciatus Lengths 7 & 9 cm. Red Sea. SBO
F
Ostorhinchus quadrifasciatus Subadults with reddish fins. Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Japanese Striped-cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cf. quadrifasciatus
Undetermined species.
West Pacific, southern tropical Japan and China Sea.
Coastal sheltered bays on muddy substrates. Grey with
two black narrow lines. Mid-lateral line straight, from
snout, through eye, to caudal-fin margin, with short
white bars (female) and spots below. A black thin line
from nape to end of caudal peduncle, an indistinct dusky
thin line above, following the dorsal profile closely to
below dorsal-fins gap. Length to about 12 cm. A
B C
Ostorhinchus cf. quadrifasciatus B juvenile. Iriomote Island A/C Okinawa, Japan. A TKO B KIM C KYO
Short-stripe Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-4
Undetermined species.
West Pacific, ranging west to Singapore and north to
southern Japan. Grey with three black lines. Mid-lateral
line straight, thick on snout and through eye, to margin
of caudal-fin and white barring below. A black line from
nape with thin white line above along upper side, ending
below end of second dorsal fin. Vertical droplet-like
white dashes below mid-lateral line. No black line along
the dorsal-fin bases. Length to about 12 cm. Ostorhinchus cf. fasciatus-4. Singapore. TKO
Seven-stripe Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus septemstriatus
Apogon septemstriatus Günther, 1880. Arafura Sea.
Widespread western Pacific, ranging from tropical
Australia to the Philippines. Lives at moderate depths to
52 m. Pale grey and two distinct black lines which have
white thin lines bordering closely above. Mid-lateral line
from tip of snout through eye, to posterior margin of
caudal fin. A black line from top of snout high along side
and along upper of caudal peduncle. A black thin line
from mid-nape divides and continues closely along each
side of the dorsal-fin bases. Length to about 9 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus septemstriatus Port Hedland, WA. CSIRO
B C
Ostorhinchus septemstriatus Philippines. B JGR C ARY
Short-line Rifle-cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus kiensis
Apogon kiensis Jordan & Snyder, 1901.
Wakonoura, Kii, Japan.
Appears to be restricted to sub-tropical southern Japan.
Sheltered coastal muddy bays to deep water, usually seen
solitary, but may form large schools on open substrates
near remote rocky or coral outcrops and large sand
anemones. Grey with two black and three white lines.
Mid-lateral line thick and straight, from tip of snout,
through eye, to end of caudal-fin. Upper black and white
lines short, from top of snout reaching to below or past
end of the second dorsal fin. Length to 8 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus kiensis Osezaki, Japan. TKO
B C
Ostorhinchus kiensis C juvenile. Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI
D
Ostorhinchus kiensis Osezaki, Japan. RHK
Long-line Rifle-cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cf. kiensis
Undetermined species.
Known only from Sydney Harbour, but based on
other sub-tropical Sydney fishes, it probably ranges
north to Capricornia, Queensland. Rocky reefs in
5 to 25 m depth, often seen swimming among
schools of Ostorhinchus fasciatus. Mid-lateral line
broad from tip of snout to end of caudal fin. A
black stripe with a white upper-edge from top of
snout over eye, running high along upper sides to
end of caudal peduncle. Length to about 8 cm.
Appears to be a close relative of the Japanese
Ostorhinchus kiensis.
A
B C
Ostorhinchus cf. kiensis Watson’s Bay, Sydney Harbour. RHK
A
Ostorhinchus bryx Flores, Indonesia. RHK B
C D
Ostorhinchus bryx Philippines. ARY Ostorhinchus bryx Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Half-lined Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus semilineatus
Apogon semilineatus Schlegel, 1843. Japan.
Subtropical Japanese waters. Sheltered bays, rocky reef
habitats, often forming massive schools under jetties and
offshore to 45 m deep. Adults may pair off, but regroup
after spawning. Yellow on lower sides, dusky dorsally.
Head with 3 black lines. One from tip of snout through
eye to opercle margin. Another from top of snout along
upper side to below dorsal-fins gap and third from nape
dorsally along fin-bases. First dorsal fin with black tip and
caudal-fin base with a pupil-sized black spot centrally.
Length to 12 cm.
A
B D
Ostorhinchus semilineatus B school in which many males with oral brood. Izu Peninsula, Japan. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus jenkinsi A schooling. Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia. B pair. Komodo, Indonesia. A RHK, B TTO
Ear-spot Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus notatus
Sparus notatus Houttuyn, 1782. Japan.
Subtropical Japanese waters. Replaced by the
similar tropical Ostorhinchus jenkinsi further
south, which caused many erroneous records.
Common on rocky reefs in the regions of the Izu
Peninsula, where in pairs, but usually forming
schools. Pale brownish grey, a small black ‘ear’
spot, a pupil-sized peduncular spot, and has the
lines on snout to inter-orbitals that distinguishes it
from O. jenkinsi. Length to about 11 cm.
B
Ostorhinchus notatus Kochi, Japan. THI
C D
Ostorhinchus notatus Kagoshima, Japan. SDE Ostorhinchus notatus Kashiwajima, Japan. RHK
Ostorhinchus leptofasciatus Raja Ampat, West Papua. GRA Ostorhinchus unitaeniatus NT, Australia. GRA
A B
Ostorhinchus ocellicaudus Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus pallidus Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. GRA
A B
Ostorhinchus cladophilos Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Black-stomach Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus atrogaster
Amia atrogaster Smith & Radcliffe 1912.
Luzon Island, Philippines.
Known from trawls to 80 m depth in the Philippines and
northern Australia. Colour in alcohol given: cream-buff,
traces of silvery band from scapula to caudal base; tip of
chin and snout to middle of eye dusky black; tip of 1st
dorsal blackish; caudal dusky distally; other fins hyalin;
peritoneum white; stomach black. Length to 60 mm. Ostorhinchus atrogaster Holotype. After S&R
B C
Ostorhinchus yamato B holotype. Kagoshima, Japan. C paratype. Shizuoka, Japan. B HMO C MHA
B C
Ostorhinchus nanus A Tulamben, Bali. B/C Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B
Ostorhinchus neotes Maumere Bay, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus parvulus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus parvulus Borneo, Malaysia. RHK
C
Ostorhinchus parvulus Pair, male with oral brood on the right. Amami, Japan. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus dispar Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus melanoproctus Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. PWO
A B
Ostorhinchus franssedai Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus sp. 1. A Maldives. B Pulau Weh, Sumatra, Indonesia. A RHK B TTO
A B
Ostorhinchus lineomaculatus A Tulamben, Bali, type-locality. B Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Invisible Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus aphanes
Ostorhinchus aphanes Fraser, 2012.
Uchelbeluu Reef, Palau.
Little known, only from Palau, where collected from 73 m,
probably deep-water dwelling species. Semi-transparent
with faint dusky bands and yellow line from above eye to
below base of second dorsal-fin. Length to 60 mm.
A B
Ostorhinchus pselion Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Ostorhinchus selas Amami, Japan. RHK Ostorhinchus selas Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus rueppellii A Fremantle, Geograph Bay. B Monte Bellow Islands, Western Australia. RHK
Orange-lined Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Apogon cyanosoma Bleeker, 1853.
Lawajong, Solor Island, Timur Province, Indonesia.
West Pacific: Philippines to southern Indonesia, north-
eastern Australia and New Caledonia. Records from
elsewhere are probably based on other similar species.
Coastal and lagoons to about 20 m depth, often in
schools. Pale grey, dark on snout, with narrow orange
lines from head to caudal-fin base. Mid-lateral line may
end in a spot, which is orange-red at night. Lower two
lines on body thinner than interspaces. Top and bottom
of eye yellow. Length to about 65 mm.
Ostorhinchus rubrimaculata Randall & Kulbicki, 1998,
A is a putative junior synonym, its description based on the
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK red-spot night-form (C).
B C
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma Day and night colours. Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
D
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma Near type-locality. Northeastern Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus sp. 4. Amami, Japan. RHK Ostorhinchus sp. 4. Bali, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus sp. 4. Iriomote Island, Japan. D TKO E RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus sp. 5. B night colour. Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus aff. properuptus Milne Bay, PNG. RHK O. properuptus Juvenile. Sydney, NSW. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus aff. properuptus D Pulau Putri, Java. E Pulau Weh, Sumatra, Indonesia. D RHK E RCS
A B
Ostorhinchus sp. 6. Maldives. RHK
Hibernia Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus sp. 7
Undetermined species, apparently undescribed.
Timor Sea, geographical distribution is not known. This
taxon looks very similar to Ostorhinchus cyonosoma in
colour and having the pattern of narrow orange lines
along the body and caudal peduncle, but interspaces
more bluish and lines continue over caudal fin and there
is no suggestion of a basicaudal spot. Length 50 mm.
A B
Ostorhinchus wassinki A type, after Bleeker. B ? Cassini Island, Kimberley Coast, Western Australia. GRA
B C
Ostorhinchus luteus Guam, Micronesia. A/B RHK C RMY
B C
D E
Ostorhinchus sp. 9. B–E spawning sequence. Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI
F G
Ostorhinchus sp. 9. F schooling on rubble-rock reef. G juvenile. Osezaki, Japan. F RHK G TKO
A B
Ostorhinchus holotaenia Socotra. SBO Ostorhinchus holotaenia Maldives. RHK
C D
Ostorhinchus holotaenia Sodwana, South Africa. RHK Ostorhinchus holotaenia Seychelles. GRA
B C
Ostorhinchus cavitensis Bali, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus cavitensis Singapore. RHK
Silver-lined Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii
Apogon hartzfeldii Bleeker, 1852.
Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
West Pacific from Philippines to Indonesia. Records
from elsewhere probably based on sibling species. In
coastal bays on open muddy substrates, usually close to
rubble outcrops or corals. Juveniles with black broad
stripes and white lines on head and a white line from
nape high along sides to caudal-fin base. Adult mostly
brown to near black, retaining white lines on head and
A high on along side. A pupil-size black spot slightly above
Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii Flores, Indonesia. RHK centre on caudal-fin base. Length to about 12 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii B Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. C Derawan, Kalimantan, Sulawesi Sea. B TKO C RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii D night. E juvenile. Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. RHK
Golden-lined Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus sp. 10
Undescribed species from tropical eastern Australia,
ranging south into subtropical zones. Solitary or in pairs
on shallow rocky or rubble reefs, near holes and caves.
Head with black stripes, fading to greenish yellow on
body. A pair of white lines from snout through eye and
edging the mid-lateral stripe. A thin yellow line from
nape, running high along back following dorsal profile to
end of caudal peduncle. A pupil-size black spot centered
on caudal fin close to base. Length to about 85 mm.
A
B C
Ostorhinchus sp. 10. C juvenile. B Moreton Bay. A/C Keppel Island. Queensland, Australia. RHK
High-fin Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus chrysotaenia
Apogon chrysotaenia Bleeker, 1852.
Jakarta, Java, Indonesia.
Indonesia, northwestern Australia, north to Japan, east
to Solomon Islands. Shallow coastal reef flats with rocky
boulder substrates and coral bommies to about 10 m
depth. Juveniles pale whitish with dark stripes. Adults
orange, blue lines on head and faint brown body-stripes,
darkest dorsally. An intermittent black basicaudal spot on
lateral-line or above. Dorsal-fins sharply pointed, 2nd fin
very tall and sickle shaped. Length to about 12 cm.
Amia cyanotaenia Bleeker, 1853 is a putative synonym.
A
B C
Ostorhinchus chrysotaenia B juvenile. Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. A/C Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus chrysotaenia D Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. E Raja Ampat, West Papua. D RHK E GRA
Bangka Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus endekataenia
Apogon endekataenia Bleeker, 1852.
Bangka or Lepar Island, Indonesia.
West Pacific, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and also
Singapore. Sheltered silty habitats, forming small groups
with rubble or rocky outcrops on open bottom. Juveniles
with 3 black stripes and a large eye-size black spot on
caudal-fin base. Stripes change in colour with growth to
a dusky brown. Length to about 14 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus endekataenia B juvenile. Singapore. RHK
Schlegel’s Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus schlegeli
Apogon schlegeli Bleeker, 1855. Japan.
Subtropical Japan, possibly ranging into northern China
Sea. Records from elsewhere doubtful. In coastal waters
on rocky slopes and walls in caves and ledges, shallow to
60 m depth. Pinkish overall, adult with 7 long blackish
brown lines along body, fewer and black in juvenile, and
a larger than pupil-size black spot centrally on caudal-fin
base. Length to about 12 cm.
A Was confused with Ostorhinchus endekataenia due to
Ostorhinchus schlegeli Osezaki, Japan. RHK a mix-up of Bleekers drawings of the types.
B
Ostorhinchus schlegeli Izu, Japan. RHK
C D
Ostorhinchus schlegeli C juvenile. Kochi Prefecture, Japan. D male with oral brood. Kagoshima, Japan. C THI D SDE
B C
Ostorhinchus fukuii Izu Peninsula, Japan. RHK Ostorhinchus fukuii KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. DKI
B C
Ostorhinchus cheni At 70–80 m. Tulamben, Bali. TSH Ostorhinchus cheni Philippines. HMO
B C
Ostorhinchus sp. 11. B large juvenile. C pair, male with oral brood. Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus sp. 11. D juvenile. Northwest Cape. E Port Hedland. Western Australia. D GRA E NCO.
Four-line Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus doederleini
Apogon doederleini Jordan & Snyder, 1901.
Nagasaki, Japan.
Widespread West Pacific, but comprises a complex of
geographical forms of undetermined status. Pale grey to
pinkish with four long black body lines thin, thickest up
to pupil-size width on cheek. Lines narrower in some
populations. An about pupil-sized black basicaudal spot,
proportionally larger in juveniles. Fins pinkish, turning
red at night. Length to 16 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus doederleini Kashiwajima, Japan. RHK
B
Ostorhinchus doederleini Night colour. Izu, Japan. RHK C
D E
Ostorhinchus doederleini C juvenile. Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
F G
Ostorhinchus doederleini Ehime, Japan. THI Ostorhinchus doederleini Nuptial. Kochi, Japan. THI
H I
Ostorhinchus doederleini Moreton Bay, Qld. RHK Ostorhinchus doederleini Juvenile. Sydney. RHK
Sydney Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus limenus
Apogon limenus Randall & Hoese, 1988.
Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.
Eastern Australia, southern Qld, to southern NSW. On
rocky and coral reefs below overhangs in pairs or small
groups, shallow to about 20 m depth, but trawled in
deep water as well. Pale greyish pink with black lines and
pink to red fins. Stripes thick along lower sides and thin
and high on upper sides, with a wide space between 2nd
and 3rd with short stripe on head. A pupil-size or larger
black spot on caudal-fin base. Length to 14 cm. A
Ostorhinchus limenus Keppel Island, Queensland. RHK
B C
D E
Ostorhinchus limenus B small juvenile. C male. D subadult. E night colours. Sydney Harbour, NSW. RHK
Reef-flat Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus taeniophorus
Apogon taeniophorus Regan, 1908. Maldives.
Widespread Indo-Pacific. Shallow reef flats, usually in a
few metres depth under coral plates. Pale pinkish dusky
with four main black stripes, lower two very heavy, close
together on lower half, upper two much thinner on
upper half. Mid-lateral line thickens on the base of the
caudal fin as a spot, lines continuing a little onto the fin.
Fins reddish. Length to 14 cm. A
Ostorhinchus taeniophorus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus taeniophorus Mauritius. PCH Ostorhinchus taeniophorus Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Northern Striped-cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus victoriae
Apogon victoriae Günther, 1859. Victoria River, NT.
Northwestern Australia and Northern Territory. Coastal
reef in shallow water where it was observed to about 15
m depth. Pale with reddish brown soft-edged stripes that
are narrower than interspaces. A half-length stripe from
top of eye to below 2nd dorsal fin. Pectoral-fin base
dark, a pupil-sized black spot on caudal-fin base, and has
a very large anal fin. Length to about 14 cm.
A rarely observed species due to the remoteness of the
region. The type-locality was originally not stated, but
Ostorhinchus victoriae Northern Western Australia. RCS revealed by Macleay, 1881.
Western Striped-cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus aff. victoriae
Undetermined species, appears to be undescribed.
Western Australia from Geograph Bay to Shark Bay,
subtropical. Clear coastal waters and offshore rocky
reefs to about 20 m depth. Stripes thick, reddish brown
with narrower pale interspaces. Three long sharp-edged
stripes from snout to base of the caudal-fin. Interspaces
narrower, pale grey to whitish. A half-length stripe from
upper of eye, ending about below dorsal fins gap. Fins
pinkish to red. A larger than pupil-size black basicaudal
A spot with a whitish halo. Length to 14 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus aff. victoriae A Carnac Island. B Busselton. C Fremantle. Southern Western Australia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus cookii Northeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus cookii Socotra. SBO
B C
Ostorhinchus pallidofasciatus Female with pale stripes, male plain. Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia. RHK
Black Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus aterrimus
Apogon aterrimus Günther, 1867.
Cape York, Queensland, Australia.
West Pacific, eastern Australian coast from Cape York to
Moreton Bay. Sheltered coastal bays on silty rubble reef
in shallow water, observed to about 10 m depth. A deep
bodied species with large fins. Adults may look almost
black with indistinct darker stripes, one mid-laterally and
one on upper sides. Juveniles dark greenish and are
more distinctly striped, 4 of which reaching caudal-fin
base, have reddish dusky fins, and an indistinct black
pupil-sized basicaudal spot. Length to about 16 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus aterrimus B subadult. North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. RHK
Aroub Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus aroubiensis
Apogon aroubiensis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1853.
Aroub, Malaysia.
Only known from the single type, which was just under
6 cm in total length and may be subadult. Colour was
given as silvery green with four black stripes; fins green
with broad brown border. The Apogon aroubiensis
name was often used for other species, but of the known
striped species, only juvenile Ostorhinchus aterrimus
has four lines along the caudal peduncle and is perhaps
its closest relative. It may also live in similar estuarine
Ostorhinchus aroubiensis Holotype. after H&J silty coastal habitats.
Tail-stripe Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus sp. 12
Undetermined species, appears to be undescribed.
Tropical Western Australia. Only known from the Monte
Bello Islands in stong current prone tidal channels under
low overhangs. Heavy black lines on head and body with
whitish narrow interspaces. Mid-lateral stripe over the
entire length from tip of snout to caudal-fin’s posterior
margin. Line from above eye very short, on head only.
Length to about 10 cm.
Ostorhinchus sp. 12. Monte Bello Islands, WA. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus sp. 13. Magnetic Island, Queensland. RHK
Ostorhinchus regula Paratype. Guam, Micronesia. JER Ostorhinchus brevispinis Rangiroa. JER
Black-striped Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus
Apogon nigrofasciatus Lachner, 1953.
Yuro Island, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Widespread Indo-Pacific, but a taxa-complex with at
least 3 forms. Coastal to outer reef slopes and walls in
narrow ledges and caves to at least 50 m depth. Mostly
black with thin white or yellow lines between the very
broad black stripes running from snout to caudal-fin
base. Fins pink in some forms. Length to 14 cm.
A
B C
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus B juvenile. A Montague Island. B/C Sydney Harbour. NSW, Australia. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus Sipadan, Borneo. RHK
F
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus Maldives. RHK G
H
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Narrow-striped Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus angustatus
Amia angustata Smith & Radcliffe, 1911.
Malanipa Island, east of Zamboanga, Philippines.
Widespread Indo-West Pacific, and Red Sea. Clear
coastal reef crests and slopes, where usually shallow, and
drop-offs to about 25 m depth. Black stripes and whitish
interspaces close to subequal width. Mid-lateral stripe
ends into a spot on the base of the caudal fin. Fins pink
translucent to reddish. Length to about 11 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus angustatus Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus angustatus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus angustatus Maldives. RHK
Three-line Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus
Apogon novemfasciatus Cuvier, 1828.
Timor; Guam, Mariana Islands, western Pacific.
Tropical Indo-West Pacific. Shallow protected coastal
reefs, often silty habitat. usually in pairs, swimming close
to shelter. Three main black body stripes that reach to
centre of caudal fin, the outer two with ends converging.
Mid-lateral line continues thinly over caudal fin, and may
reach posterior margin. Length to 10 cm.
B C
Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus A male with oral brood. Singapore. B Flores, Indonesia. C night colour. Kalimantan. RHK
D
Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus Pair, male with oral brood on the right. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Multi-lined Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus multilineatus
Amia multilineata Bleeker, 1874.
Ceram Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
Tropical West Pacific, Widespread Indonesia west to
Java, north to Philippines and also Solomon Islands.
Coastal reefs and lagoons, usually with large coral
bommy outcrops in 2–25 m depth. Head with broad
black stripes over snout and cheeks; body with numerous
thin lines, the numbers increasing with growth, few of
which slightly thickened. Fins pink to reddish. Length to
about 11 cm. A
Ostorhinchus multilineatus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus multilineatus Mabul, Borneo. RHK Ostorhinchus multilineatus Night. Manado, Indonesia. RHK
Blue-eyed Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus compressus
Amia compressa Smith & Radcliffe, 1911. Philippines.
Widespread tropical West Pacific. Coastal reefs and
outer reef lagoon. Usually schooling among staghorn
corals. Juveniles whitish with black narrow lines and a
yellow peduncle blotch with a black spot centrally, just
like in young Cheilodipterus spp. (D). Stripes in adults
are thicker and reddish black; eyes look blue in natural
light and fins reddish. Length to about 12 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus compressus Milne Bay, PNG. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus compressus Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus compressus Lizard Island, Qld, Australia. RHK
Ostorhinchus
D Cheilodipterus E
Ostorhinchus compressus Juv. Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus compressus Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
Ostorhinchus relativus Holotype. Marquesas Islands. JER Ostorhinchus sinus Holotype. Marquesas Islands. JER
Cheek-spots Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus chrysopomus
Apogon chrysopomus Bleeker, 1854.
Makassar, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Western Pacific: Indonesia to Philippines. Sheltered
coral reefs, usually in about 5–10 m depth, but ventures
down to about 25 m. Yellowish white with two orange to
blackish long lines. Very similar to Ostorhinchus sealei,
but cheek with 5 or 6 orange spots instead of two bars.
Pupil-size black spot slightly above centre on caudal-fin
A base. Length to 65 mm.
C
B Ostorhinchus chrysopomus. Singapore. TKO
D
Ostorhinchus chrysopomus B night colour. C juvenile. D pair. Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
Short-band Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus oxygrammus
Apogon oxygrammus Allen, 2001.
Raja Ampat Islands, Irian Jaya Province, Indonesia.
Known only from the type-locality area. Occurs on
macro-algal reef rubble or coral-rock outcrops in about
35–50 m depth. A whitish species with a single broad
black stripe mid-laterally, extending onto caudal fin. No
line on snout. A small species, length to 50 mm.
B C
Ostorhinchus sealei Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus sealei Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. RHK
D
Ostorhinchus sealei An amazing number of individuals forming a school under a village jetty at Pulau Besar, with several
other Apogonidae members and a blenny joining the dense school. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Pearly Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus margaritophorus
Apogon margaritophorus Bleeker, 1854.
Batjan, Indonesia.
Western Pacific: Malaysia and Indonesia to Philippines,
and Papua New Guinea to Solomon Islands. Shallow to
about 5 m, in small groups in weedy reef and seagrass
habitats. A white mid-lateral stripe and red to brown
stripes above and below. Lower two side stripes have
short connecting bars, forming a series of white spots in
between. First dorsal fin with the longest spine white,
A
followed by red-brown membrane. Length to 65 mm.
Ostorhinchus margaritophorus Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. RHK
B C
D E
Ostorhinchus margaritophorus Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus margaritophorus Singapore. RHK
A B
Ostorhinchus oxina Aquarium, from Sri Lanka. FZE
Moluccen Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus moluccensis
Apogon moluccensis Valenciennes, 1832.
Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
Widespread eastern Indian Ocean and West Pacific.
Locally abundant in estuaries and coastal bays in silty
habitats to depths of 25 m. Pale to dark brown with
white and brown to black stripes on head and a distinct
white spot below the end of second dorsal-fin base. It
has barring on abdominal area that can be turned on and
off at will. Length to about 10 cm.
Apogon ventrifasciatus Allen, Kuiter & Randall, 1994 A
is a putative synonym. Ostorhinchus moluccensis Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus moluccensis Manado, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus moluccensis Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
Yellow-eye Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus monospilus
Apogon monospilus Fraser, Randall & Allen, 2002.
Philippines.
Indonesia, Australia to Philippines. Pale to dark brown
with white and dusky stripes on head and a distinct white
spot below the end of second dorsal-fin base.
Intermittent broad mid-lateral brown band. Similar to
Ostorhinchus moluccensis, but eye yellow, no banding
and white spot less distinct. Length to about 10 cm.
A
Ostorhinchus monospilus Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Ostorhinchus monospilus Qld, Australia. RHK Ostorhinchus monospilus & moluccensis Philippines. TKO
A B
Ostorhinchus maculiferus Hawaiian Islands. JHO
Ostorhinchus griffini Sabah, Borneo. GRA Ostorhinchus flagelliferus Sodwana, South Africa. DKI
B C
Ostorhinchus hoevenii Flores, Indonesia. RHK Ostorhinchus hoevenii (ishigakiensis) Kerama Island, Japan. RHK
D E
Ostorhinchus hoevenii Lizard Island, Qld, Australia. RHK Ostorhinchus hoevenii Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
F
Ostorhinchus hoevenii & O. monospilus Some swimming among anemone tentacles. Sulawesi, Indonesia. FSN
Black-foot Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus nigripes
Apogon nigripes Playfair, 1857. Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Western Indian Ocean, Kenya, Mozambique and
Zanzibar. Always among weeds in shallow water, usually
forming large dense schools. Brooding males mix in with
the schools. Deep-bodied for the genus with a tall first
dorsal fin and long ventrals. Body and fins brownish to
yellow with some silver striped barring on cheek and
body, mostly below lateral line. Length to about 8 cm.
B C
D
Ostorhinchus nigripes Several males with oral brood in the school. Kenya. DGO
Spiny-eye Cardinalfish
Pristiapogon fraenatus
Apogon fraenatus Valenciennes, 1832.
New Guinea and Guam.
Widespread Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, with expatriates
ranging to sub-tropical waters. Various shallow coral and
rocky reef habitats, but observed to 47 m depth (D).
Black mid-lateral stripe, pupil width on head, tapering
evenly to end of caudal peduncle, greenish grey above
and pinkish grey below. Normally has a centrally placed
black pupil-size basicaudal spot, but it may be absent at
night or in deep water. Length to about 10 cm. A
Pristiapogon fraenatus Moreton Bay, Queensland. RHK
B C
Pristiapogon fraenatus Night. Maldives. RHK Pristiapogon fraenatus Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA.
D E
Pristiapogon fraenatus D Menjangan Island, Bali. E typically schooling under a ledge. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Pristiapogon kallopterus 10 cm. After Bleeker Pristiapogon kallopterus Type-form. Flores, Indonesia. RHK
C D
Pristiapogon kallopterus Night colours. Japan. TKO Pristiapogon kallopterus Bali, Indonesia. RHK
E
Pristiapogon kallopterus Night colours, with basicaudal spot. Maldives. RHK
F G
Pristiapogon kallopterus Spotless and basicaudal-spot forms on the same coral head. Maldives. RHK
H I
Pristiapogon kallopterus Day and night. Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
J K
Pristiapogon kallopterus Type-form. Iriomote I., Japan. KYA Pristiapogon kallopterus Lizard Island, Queensland. RHK
L
Pristiapogon kallopterus Night colours, without a basicaudal spot. Maldives. RHK
Spiny-head Cardinalfish
Pristiapogon urostigma
Amia urostigma Bleeker, 1874. Singapore.
Widespread Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. Various shallow
coral and rocky reef habitats, ranging to 30 m depth.
Large adults are greyish brown, with or without a black
caudal spot, Young with broad, ribbon-like mid-lateral
black stripe and pupil-size black caudal spots in line with
stripe. Posterior margins of dorsal fins slightly concave,
last ray elongated. Opercle and preopercle margins with
finely serrated edges. Body depth 35% or more in SL.
(approx 3.25 in TL by Bleeker). Length to 15 cm.
A Pristiapogon kallopterus, was applied to this taxon in
the genus revision (Fraser & Lachner, 1985).
Pristiapogon urostigma Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Pristiapogon urostigma Spotless form. Sipadan, Borneo. RHK Pristiapogon urostigma Mabul, Borneo. RHK
D E
Pristiapogon urostigma Singapore. After Bleeker Pristiapogon urostigma Sipadan, Borneo. RHK
F
Pristiapogon urostigma Type-form. Note typical posterior shapes of dorsal and anal fins. Bali, Indonesia. RHK
G H
Pristiapogon urostigma Night. Kakeroma, Japan. TKO Pristiapogon urostigma Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
I J
Pristiapogon urostigma Night. Tulamben, Bali. RHK Pristiapogon urostigma Tulamben, Bali. RHK
K L
Pristiapogon urostigma Juvenile and adult. Aliwal shoals, South Africa. RHK
M N
Pristiapogon urostigma Double basicaudal spot variation. Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
A B
Pristiapogon taeniopterus Christmas Island. I.O. GRA Pristiapogon taeniopterus Mauritius. PCH
C
Pristiapogon taeniopterus Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia. JTW
A B
Pristiapogon menesemus A night colour. Hawaiian Islands. JHO
Three-spot Cardinalfish
Pristicon trimaculatus
Apogon trimaculatus Cuvier, 1828.
Moluccas, Indonesia.
Widespread tropical Indo-Pacific. Coastal reef slopes to
outer reef walls to about 20 m depth. Secretive in caves,
usually out at night. Pale grey to brown with vertical and
slightly angled black bars below dorsal fins. Second bar
Y-shaped. Juveniles with a distinct first dorsal-fin, black
above first bar and white posterior margin. Usually a
black round spot on cheek and caudal peduncle, but
sometimes faded. Length to 14 cm.
A
Pristicon trimaculatus Anilao, Philippines. TKO
B C
Pristicon trimaculatus Juvenile. Flores, Indonesia. RHK Pristicon trimaculatus Night colour. Mine Bay, PNG. RHK
D E
Pristicon trimaculatus Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
F G
Pristicon trimaculatus Mine Bay, PNG. RHK Pristicon trimaculatus Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
A
Pristicon rhodopterus Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
B
Pristicon rhodopterus Palau, Micronesia. HNA
A B
Pristicon rufus Philippines. ARY Pristicon rufus Kerama Island, Japan. AON
B C
Rhabdamia gracilis Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Rhabdamia gracilis Rowley Shoals, WA. RHK Rhabdamia gracilis Iriomote Island, Japan. TKO
Indonesian Doubles-cardinalfish
Rhabdamia spilota
Rhabdamia spilota Allen & Kuiter, 1994.
Bali, Indonesia.
Southern Indonesia from Bali to West Papua, Indian
Ocean and west to the Red Sea. Coastal reef sand slopes
with outcrops and along reef margins. Typically swims in
tight pairs, occasionally in small groups formed by multiple
pairs. Usually in about 40 m depth and occasionally seen
as shallow as 25 m. Transparent pale grey with a thin
A whitish mid-lateral line and small black spots just below
Rhabdamia spilota Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK on head and abdominal. Length to about 60 mm.
B C
Rhabdamia spilota Komodo, Indonesia. TTO Rhabdamia spilota Bali, Indonesia. RHK
A B
C
Rhabdamia sp. 1. Sodwana Bay, South Africa. DKI
New-moon Cardinalfish
Rhabdamia novaluna
Rhabdamia novaluna Yoshida, Mabuchi & Motomura,
2018. Kerama Islands, Okinawa, Japan.
Japan, Marshall Islands, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,
Solomon Islands, Australia and Fiji. Typically swims in
tight pairs or in large schools. Body transparent pale
greyish, reflective silvery on head and abdomen, with
bluish white and blackish mid-lateral lines. Similar to
Rhabdamia gracilis, but the low-set basicaudal spot is
larger, usually more distinct. Length to about 50 mm.
A
B C
Rhabdamia novaluna Triton Bay, West Papua. GRA Rhabdamia novaluna Raja Ampat, West Papua. GRA
A B
Rhabdamia sp. 2. Kagoshima aquarium. SDE Rhabdamia sp. 2. Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI
A B
Rhabdamia nigrimentum A Farasan Island. B Dumsuk Island, Red Sea. SBO
A
Verulux cypselurus Manado, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Verulux cypselurus Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK Verulux cypselurus Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
Sun-spot Cardinalfish
Verulux solmaculata
Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura, 2016.
D'Entrcasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea.
Eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and western
Australia Schooling on protected coral reefs in about
10–20 m depth. Semi-transparent pale brownish, and
intermittently with a pupil-size black basicaudal blotch; a
dusky longitudinal band on the caudal-fin lobes, and
short black stripe or dash from tip of snout to the eye.
Length to about 60 mm.
B C
Verulux sp. 1. Lahami Bay, Red Sea. SBO
B C D
Siphamia cephalotes A male with oral brood. B female, typical form. C/D brood removed. Flinders, Victoria. RHK
E F
Siphamia cephalotes Whyalla, South Australia. Type-locality. RHK
G H
Siphamia cephalotes Frankston, Victoria. RHK Siphamia cephalotes Broughton Island, NSW. RHK
A B
Siphamia cuneiceps A male with oral brood. B female, typical form. Sydney, NSW. RHK
B C
Siphamia roseigaster B night colour. Upper Sydney Harbour, Australia (near type-locality). RHK
D E
Siphamia aff. roseigaster Tropical form. Moreton Bay, southern Queensland. RHK
A
Siphamia corallicola Madang, Papua New Guinea. GRA
B C
Siphamia corallicola Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Siphamia tubifer Milne Bay, PNG. RHK Siphamia tubifer Madang, PNG. GRA
D
Siphamia tubifer Urchin: Asthenosoma varium, host to plain and striped colour forms. Northeast Bali, Indonesia. TTO
B C
Siphamia versicolor Kashiwajima, Japan. TKO Siphamia versicolor Kashiwajima, Japan. RHK
B
Siphamia zaribae With Crown-of-thorns Seastar. Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia. RHK
Philippines Siphonfish
Siphamia fuscolineata
Siphamia fuscolineata Lachner, 1953. Philippines.
Philippines to southern Japan. Forms small groups in
association with Diadema spp. It clearly shows 7 spines
in the first dorsal fin, first very small. Eye relatively small.
Juveniles white with three heavy black longitudinal lines,
lines wider than interspaces, and reaching caudal-fin
base. Adults plain coppery brown and fins pale reddish
brown, Length to about 35 mm.
A
Siphamia fuscolineata Okinawa, Japan. TKO
B C
Siphamia fuscolineata Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. RHK Siphamia fuscolineata Okinawa, Japan. TKO
D E
Siphamia fuscolineata Okinawa, Japan. TKO
A
Siphamia majimai Taiwan. PCH
B C
Siphamia majimai Hachijo Island, Japan. KTA Siphamia majimai Juvenile. Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
D
Siphamia majimai Sokodo Bay, Hachijo Island, Japan. SKA
A
Siphamia goreni Farasan, Red Sea. SBO
B C
Siphamia goreni Oman. PWO Siphamia goreni Amaq, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Siphamia arabica Gulf of Oman. RFI Siphamia arabica holotype. EHE
A B
Siphamia mossambica Natal, South Africa. PCH Siphamia mossambica Mauritius. JER
B
Siphamia tubulata Kashiwajima, Japan. RHK
C D
Siphamia tubulata Kochi Prefecture, Japan. THI
E F
Siphamia tubulata Japan. ANA Siphamia tubulata Kashiwajima, Japan. TKO
B C
Siphamia fistulosa (S. senoui). B Iriomote Island. C Amami-Oshima, Japan. B KYA C MEN
A B
Siphamia jebbi Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. GRA
Blue-eye Siphonfish
Siphamia cyanophthalma
Siphamia cyanophthalmus Gon & Allen, 2012.
Maumere, Flores, Indonesia.
Western Pacific: Indonesia to Papua New Guinea. Found
on sheltered reefs among corals in 15–30 m depth.
Pinkish, body semi-transparent, silvery reflections on
side of head, a pair of blue lines through eye and many
orange spots over head and anterior part of the body.
Length to about 30 mm.
A B
Siphamia argentea Bali, Indonesia. GRA Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. MVE
C D
Siphamia argentea Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. GRA
A B
Siphamia papuensis holotype. Pulau Balbal, Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua. MVE
C D
Siphamia papuensis Fiabacet, Indonesia. C MVE D GRA
B C
Siphamia permutata Obhur, Red Sea. SBO Siphamia permutata Sharm el Moya, Red Sea. SBO
A B
Siphamia spinicola Sulawesi, Indonesia. SWM Siphamia spinicola New Caledonia.. JER
A
Siphamia elongata Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia. RHK
B
Siphamia elongata Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. PWO
Siphamia guttulata after A&M Siphamia fraseri Tonga Mala Island, Vava'u Group. JTW
A
Siphamia stenotus Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. GRA
B D
Siphamia stenotus North-west Bali, Indonesia. GRA
Centre-spot Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides uninotatus
Amia uninotata Smith & Radcliffe, 1912.
Bisucay Island, Cuyos Islands, Philippines.
Known only from the Philippines. Mangrove fringes of estuaries
and brackish lakes. Shallow to about 10 m depth, single or in
pairs with rocky or coral outcrops. Pale brownish with a black
eye-size round spot mid-body, which has a thin pale-yellow halo.
Length to about 90 mm.
B
Apogonichthyoides uninotatus Philippines. GRA
Black-body Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides niger
Apogon niger Döderlein, 1883. Japan.
Northwestern Pacific: northern Vietnam east to
Philippines, north to Japan. Forms loose
aggregations comprising pairs, occasionally in
large groups. Shallow sheltered bays to deep
water on muddy substrates near outcrops of
rock or sponges. Variable pale to dark brown
with blackish blotching or many narrow bars.
Dorsal, ventral and anal fins brown to black.
Length to about 10 cm.
A
Apogonichthyoides niger Osezaki, Japan. KIM
B D
Apogonichthyoides niger B oral brood. D small juvenile. Japan. C Hong Kong variation. B & D THI C SWO
E F
Apogonichthyoides niger Pair during courtship. Ehime, Japan. RHK
A B
Apogonichthyoides atripes Large adults. Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. RHK
C D E
Apogonichthyoides atripes C 10 mm. D 30 mm. E 45 mm. Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. RHK
Seven-spot Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides heptastygma
Apogon heptastygma Cuvier, 1828. Red Sea.
Red Sea endemic. Sheltered inshore rubble reef habitat,
Secretive in crevices in small groups, coming out at night
on open sandy bottom. Pale brownish grey, with a small
ocellus mid-body below first dorsal fin. Small black spots
along dorsal-fin bases and up to four along mid-line of
caudal peduncle. First dorsal-fin with first long spine and
membrane black, second white. Leading edge of ventrals
white. A small species, largest seen about 45 mm long.
B C
Apogonichthyoides heptastygma Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
Black Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides melas
Apogon melas Bleeker, 1848. Sumbawa, Indonesia.
Western Pacific and western Australia: Cocos-Keeling
Islands, Western Australia to New Caledonia, north to
Ryukyu Islands. Solitary in coral reefs, hiding in dark
places during the day, coming out at night, but stays
close to reefs. Completely dark brown with a black round
spot in second dorsal fin during the day. Pale with black
banding at night and black spot in second dorsal fin with
white edge. Length to 10 cm.
Its junior synonym Apogon noumeae was named by
Whitley in 1959, based on a fish with night pattern (B)
A which is clearly shown in his illustration of the holotype.
Apogonichthyoides melas Sulawesi, Indonesia. RCS
B C
Apogonichthyoides melas Night colour. Java, Indonesia. RHK Apogonichthyoides melas Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
A B
Apogonichthyoides miniatus Alor, Indonesia. GRA Apogonichthyoides miniatus Timor Sea. DBR
Erdmann’s Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides erdmanni
Apogon erdmanni Fraser & Allen, 2011.
Misool, West Papua, Indonesia.
Known only from a single specimen, collected at 72 m
depth. Pale brown with a dot and two stripes behind and
below eye, a pupil-size black round spot below the first
dorsal fin just above eye-level, followed by some faint
dusky barring. Caudal fin yellow. Leading dorsal spine
darkish. Length to 52 mm.
A B
Apogonichthyoides pharaonis Mediterranean. PWI Apogonichthyoides pharaonis Red Sea. ARY
Two-belt Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides taeniatus
Apogon taeniatus Cuvier, 1828. Red Sea.
Red Sea, western Indian Ocean: East Africa, Gulf of
Oman and Persian Gulf to Madagascar; Mediterranean
Sea (Red Sea immigrant). Coastal coral or rocky reefs
and mangroves, forming aggregations. Pale grey with
black bands situated below dorsal fins, an ocellus in the
first band, mid-body below the first dorsal fin. Indistinct
dusky lines along scale rows. Ventrals with white leading
edge and a small black mark on tip. Length to 10 cm.
A
Apogonichthyoides taeniatus Arabian Gulf. GRA
B C
Apogonichthyoides taeniatus Oman. RFI Apogonichthyoides taeniatus Farasan Island, Red Sea. SBO
Sparsely-spotted Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides euspilotus
Apogon euspilotus Fraser, 2006.
Ile aux Canards, Noumeb´a, New Caledonia.
Known only from New Caledonia. Life colours
unknown. Preserved brownish with dark spots on head
and body, few in fins. Dark stripes radiating from behind
eye. Caudal fin weakly emarginate with shallow central
indent. Length 7 cm.
Double-band Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides enigmaticus
Apogon enigmaticus Smith, 1961.
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Reported as Indo-West Pacific, but maybe restricted to
the west Indian Ocean region. Shallow coastal rocky
reefs in about 10–15 m depth, but also in tide-pools.
Juveniles in small groups. Pale brown, scales with dusky
edges. Dorsal fins with black leading edges. Ventrals with
white leading edges. Juveniles and subadults with narrow
black bars, one below front of each dorsal fin that fade
in large adults. Length to 14 cm.
Recently used Apogonichthyoides dhofar is a junior
synonym. A. pseudotaeniatus Gon, 1986, is putative
synonym as well, as the bars and spot fade in large adults.
A
B C
Apogonichthyoides enigmaticus Oman. PWO Apogonichthyoides enigmaticus Juvenile. Oman. RFI
D E
Apogonichthyoides enigmaticus Subadult. Red Sea. SBO Apogonichthyoides enigmaticus Aqaba. TPA
Gardiner’s Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides gardineri
Apogon gardineri Regan, 1908.
Cargados Carajos, Indian Ocean.
Western Indian Ocean, type was collected at 55 m
depth, a Mascarene Plateau endemic. Lives at moderate
depths offshore. Pale brown with three diffused black
bands, saddle-like below each dorsal fin and ring-like on
caudal peduncle. First dorsal-fin’s anterior half blackish
extended from body-band. Eye yellow. Length to 10 cm.
Two-belt Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides sialis
Amia sialis Jordan & Thompson, 1914.
Suruga Bay, Japan.
Amia cathetogramma Tanaka, 1917.
Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Japan to China Seas, Brunei and Philippines. Coastal
sheltered bays, forming aggregations on rocky reefs and
open bottom outcrops. Body pale grey with black bands
situated below dorsal fins, and a small basi-caudal spot,
head dusky. The description of Apogonichthoides sialis
states body without markings except basi-caudal spot.
Bands may fade in adults, and it is a presumed synonym. A
Length to about 14 cm.
Apogonichthyoides sialis Ehime, Japan. RHK
B C
Apogonichthyoides sialis Ehime, Japan. THI Apogonichthyoides sialis With oral brood. Ehime, Japan. RHK
High-fin Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides chrysurus
Apogon chrysurus Ogilby, 1908. Lord Howe Island.
Southwestern Pacific, southern Queensland, and Lord
Howe Island region. Protected coastal bays, harbours
and lagoons. Usually only seen at night, drifting in a
floating way above the substrate. Deep-bodied, plain
pale yellowish to brownish, may show indistinct barring
on deepest part of body. Dorsal fins tall, joined at bases,
first fin tallest. Length to 10 cm.
Apogonichthyoides chrysurus was placed in Vincentia
at some stage. A record from Heron Island, north of its
geographical range, is based on Apogonichthys ahimsa
Whitley, 1959, misplaced in synonymy, a different small
more slender taxon with 1 predorsal scale, which is close
to or may be synonymus with A. perdix. Apogonichthyoides chrysurus Lord Howe Island. NCO
A B
Apogonichthyoides brevicaudatus A northern WA. B Montcomery Reef. Western Australia. GRA
Cryptic Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides umbratilis
Apogon umbratilis Fraser & Allen, 2010.
Northwest Shelf, Western Australia.
West Pacific from northern Australia and Papua New
Guinea and north to Brunei. Type was trawled in 46 m
depth. Secretive and solitary. Pale brown, with faint dark
banding below dorsal fins and on caudal peduncle. Short
dark dashes radiating from behind eye. First dorsal fin
whitish with a dark centre or black blotch. Ventral and
A anal fins with white markings. Length to 6 cm.
Apogonichthyoides umbratilis Milne Bay, PNG. RCS
B C
Apogonichthyoides umbratilis West Papua, Indonesia. GRA Apogonichthyoides umbratilis Brunei. GRA
B C
Apogonichthyoides aff. umbratilis A male. B female. C night. Ehime, Japan. A/B RHK C THI
Timor Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides timorensis
Apogon timorensis Bleeker, 1854.
Kupang, Timur, Timor Sea, eastern Indian Ocean.
Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Madagascar
east to Solomon Islands, north to Taiwan, south to
northern Australia. Secretive shallow coastal reefs and
lagoons, but also deep offshore on muddy substrates.
Pale yellowish or brownish to dusky with diffused broad
dark banding. Whitish blotch with black edges angling
backwards from behind lower part of eye. Fins yellowish.
Length to about 10 cm.
A
Apogonichthyoides timorensis Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi. RHK
B C
Apogonichthyoides timorensis Bali, Indonesia. RHK Apogonichthyoides timorensis Timor, Indonesia. CBA
Speckle-head Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides maculipinnis
Apogon maculipinnis Regan, 1908.
Haddhunmathi Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.
Known only from the Maldives, the type-specimen and
the individual in the photograph, which as taken at 40
m depth. Secretive under objects near rubble reef during
the day. Colour brownish grey with dusky banding and
small dark spots. Short dark dashes radiating from
behind eye. Fins with tiny spots and first dorsal-fin with
black blotch. Length to about 10 cm.
Regan’s Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides regani
Apogon regani Whitley, 1951. Replacement name for
Apogon punctatus Regan, 1908. Indian Ocean.
Western Indian Ocean. Lives at about 50 m depth.
Brownish grey with small black spot in longitudinal series
on body scales. Fins dusky. Length to about 75 mm.
Pearly-cheek Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides opercularis
Apogon opercularis Macleay, 1878.
Port Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Australia: Queensland to Western Australia. Mainly
known from trawls. Colour dull vinous red, including fins
except the pectorals more or less black; a black mark
extending from beneath the eye to angle of preopercle,
and opercle there is a margaritaceous patch with a black
patch above it (according to original description). Length
to about 10 cm.
Riouw Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides cantoris
Apogon cantoris Bleeker, 1851. Riouw, Indonesia.
A taxon only known from Bleeker’s description. He had
obtained 3 specimens from Bintang and Ambon, nearly
12 cm long. Colour given by Bleeker as illustrated.
Undetermined and uncertain genus placement.
Black-finned Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides nigripinnis
Apogon nigripinnis Cuvier, 1828.
Java, Indonesia; Puducherry, India.
Widespread Indian Ocean: South Africa to Java. Brown
with three broad black bands. Fins except pectorals
mostly black. Caudal fin slightly rounded. An eye-size
ocellus mid-body below the first dorsal fin, but usually is
largely obscured in the black band. Length to 14 cm.
Name is commonly applied in error to similar species
that show an ocellus below the first dorsal fin at about
eye-level, including Apogonichthyoides atripes, A.
pharaonis, and A. taeniatus
B C
Apogonichthyoides nigripinnis Durban, South Africa. DKI Apogonichthyoides nigripinnis India. after Day
B C
Jaydia poeciloptera In a typical mud-habitat at 25 m depth. North-eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Jaydia carinata Japan. ANA Jaydia carinata Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. HSE
C
Jaydia carinata Night colours. Suruga Bay, Japan. SNA
Jaydia striata Ryoung, Thailand. HMO Jaydia striatodes Beibu Gulf, China. ZYU
B C
Jaydia lineata Male with oral brood. Fukui Prefecture, Japan. TTA Jaydia lineata Japan. MHA
D
Jaydia lineata Subadult. Nagasaki, Japan. TKO
A B
Jaydia albomarginata Red Sea. SBO Jaydia albomarginata Southern Japan. HSE
B C
Jaydia truncata after Bleeker Jaydia truncata Subadult. Mindoro, Philippines. JTW
A B
Jaydia photogaster Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. A GRA B MVE
Jaydia argyrogaster West Papua, Indonesia. GRA Jaydia quartus Holotype. after Fraser
Jaydia catalai New Caledonia. JER Jaydia erythrophthalma Philippines. after authors
Some individuals could not be identified based on colourations that were seemingly derived from different taxa, suggesting
hybridisation between sibbling species may be taking place.
Nectamia sp. Maldives. RHK Nectamia sp. Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
This fish looks very much like Nectamia annularis from the This fish is possibly Nectamia savayensis. but fins are all
Red Sea, but this species is not known from the Maldives. clear, lacking the normal or white and black margins. It
The ring-like band on the caudal peduncle is grey instead of shows no dark or light barring on the body to suggest any
black. Possibly a variation of N. savayensis. other known species.
B C
Nectamia fusca C night. Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
D
Nectamia fusca A typical adult. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
E F
Nectamia fusca ? Sizes 45 and 50 mm, possibly subadult colouration. Sydney, Australia. RHK
A
Nectamia savayensis Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Nectamia savayensis B night. Manado, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Nectamia savayensis Night. Maldives. RHK
B C
Nectamia zebrina Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK Nectamia zebrina Red Sea. JNE
B C
Nectamia annularis C night. Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. RHK
A
Nectamia bandanensis Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Nectamia bandanensis Night. Sulawesi, Indonesia. RHK Nectamia bandanensis Night. Philippines. HFR
A B
Nectamia viria Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. RHK Nectamia viria Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
C D
Nectamia viria Palau, Micronesia. HNA Nectamia viria Bali, Indonesia. RHK
A
Nectamia luxuria Andaman Sea. USA
B C
Nectamia luxuria Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A B
Nectamia ignitops Kerama Island, Japan. MAT Nectamia ignitops Iriomote Island, Japan. TKO
A B
Nectamia similis A night. Maldives. RHK
Black-chest Cardinalfish
Xeniamia atrithorax
Xeniamia atrithorax Fraser & Prokofiev, 2016. South
China Sea off Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
South China Sea, Vietnam and southern Taiwan. Most
specimens were collected in shrimp trawls on muddy
substrates from depths of 70–119 m. Usually this
species appeared in groups of about 10–60 specimens
per trawl. Pale semi-transparent-cream with a hint of
orange and a black region from ventrals to anus. Length
to 35 mm. Appears to be closely related to Siphamia,
but lacks the luminous organ.
A
B
Xeniamia atrithorax Freshly caught off Dong-gang, Pingtung, Taiwan. A HMO B KKO
B C
Pterapogon kauderni Gravid female and courtship. Hong Kong aquarium. RHK
D
Pterapogon kauderni Semi-adults and juveniles, typical behaviour. Banggai Islands. GRA
E F
Pterapogon kauderni Hatchling, aquarium. TKO Pterapogon kauderni Captured with hatchlings. GRA
G H
Pterapogon kauderni Juveniles with anemone. GRA Pterapogon kauderni Juvenile, aquarium. TKO
I
Pterapogon kauderni Schooling above refuge-providing branching coral. Banggai Islands. GRA
A B
Quinca mirifica Kimberley and Exmouth regions. A GRA B NCO
TRIBE SPHAERAMIINI –
Genus Sphaeramia Fowler & Bean, 1930
Fem. Type-species Apogon nematopterus Bleeker, 1856.
Genus Sphaeramia comprises two species: S. orbicularis
& S. nematoptera.
Polka-dot Cardinalfish Sphaeramia orbicularis
Apogon orbicularis Cuvier, 1828. Java, Indonesia.
Red Sea, East Africa east to Caroline Islands, Gilbert Islands, Fiji and
Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to southern Indonesia and
New Caledonia to northern Australia. In mangroves and harbours, often
in surface waters. Deep-bodied, pale grey, a black pupil-width line from
front of first dorsal-fin over abdomen, continuing as a black margin on
A ventral fin. Black spots, small on head and near pupil-size posteriorly
Sphaeramia orbicularis Flores, Indonesia. RHK on body. Length to about 75 mm.
B C
Sphaeramia orbicularis Derawan, Borneo. RHK Sphaeramia orbicularis Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
A
Sphaeramia nematoptera Flores, Indonesia. RHK
C
B Sphaeramia nematoptera Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
D
Sphaeramia nematoptera Schooling in among branching corals. Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Fibramia thermalis Derawan, Borneo. RHK Fibramia thermalis Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK
D E
Fibramia thermalis Iriomote Island, Japan. TKO Fibramia thermalis Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
A B
Fibramia amboinensis Northern Borneo, Malaysia. GRA Fibramia amboinensis Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
D E
Fibramia lateralis Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
A
Zoramia leptacantha Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Zoramia leptacantha Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA Zoramia leptacantha Ashmore Reef, WA. BHU
D
Zoramia leptacantha Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Zoramia perlita Pulau Putri, Java, Indonesia. RHK Zoramia perlita Iriomote Island, Japan. TKO
A
Zoramia gilberti Ashmore Reef, WA. BHU
B
Zoramia gilberti Palau, Micronesia. HNA
A
Zoramia viridiventer Madang, PNG. GRA
B C
Zoramia viridiventer Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA Zoramia viridiventer Flores, Indonesia. RHK
B C
D
Zoramia sp. 1. Maumere, Flores, Indonesia. RHK
Paxton concilians Freshly preserved holotype 63.6 mm SL. Near Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia. WWH
A
Pseudamia hayashii Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Pseudamia hayashii Maldives. RHK Pseudamia hayashii Socrota. SBO
A B
Pseudamia zonata Milne Bay, PNG. PWO Pseudamia zonata Iriomote Island, Japan. KYA
C
Pseudamia zonata Juvenile. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
D
Pseudamia zonata Rabaul, PNG. RCS
Gelatinous Cardinalfish
Pseudamia gelatinosa
Cheilodipterus gelatinosa Smith, 1956.
Aldabra Islands, western Indian Ocean.
Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Madagascar
east to Society Islands, Japan, and Australia. Shallow to 40
m depth. Body with small black square spots that have a
pale centre and tiny spots forming numerous fine lines
along the body. Median fins with black bands and whitish
corners. Length to 11 cm.
A
Pseudamia gelatinosa Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. RHK
B C
Pseudamia gelatinosa Kerama Island, Japan. AON Pseudamia gelatinosa Lizard Island, Qld, Australia. RHK
D
Pseudamia gelatinosa Yemen, Red Sea. PCH
Acknowledgements
We are most grateful to Gerry Allen, Sergey Bogorodsky, Thomas Fraser, Martin Gomon, Ross Robertson for checking/reviewing
various sections of the manuscript, sharing information and their comments. A special thank you to the numerous photographers,
artists and institutions listed below for their generous contributions, making this worldwide project possible.
Websites consulted
http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/
http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/fishimage-e/search.html
https://www.fishbase.se/search.php
https://www.fishwisepro.com/
https://stri.si.edu/