Tiger cardinal
📖 Overview
Tiger cardinal (Cheilodipterus arabicus), first described by Gmelin, 1789 is a medium-sized fish in the family Apogonidae (order Apogoniformes). Adults typically reach 18.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 3 to 25 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Color in life pale brown with 13-16 dark brown stripes. In large fish, dorsal stripes may be irregular. A small dark spot encircled by yellow area on caudal peduncle. Spot sometimes expanded to form a dark brown bar around caudal peduncle. Distinct snow white bar between dark caudal spot (or bar) and posterior ends of body stripes. First dorsal fin dusky to dark brown. Other fins pale (in young) to dusky (in adults), but never as dark as first dorsal fin. Snout somewhat darker than body (Ref 8525).: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Tiger cardinal is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 25 m. Tropical; 30°N - 30°S Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Tanzania, Mozambique, Seychelles, and India.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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