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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Wolf cardinalfish

Cheilodipterus artus Smith, 1961
Max Length
18.7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
3–158 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Occurs in sheltered bays and lagoon patch reefs from 5 to at least 20 m, forming small, loose aggregates in caves or just above branches of certain corals . Feeds on small fishes .

Scientific Name
Cheilodipterus artus
Authority
Smith, 1961
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
18.7 cm
Depth Range
3–158 m
Latitude
24°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Juveniles have a small black spot surrounded by a large gold blotch on the caudal peduncle ; characterized further by the following: mauve or pale grey color with eight reddish brown stripes; blackish to brown caudal fin base; adults capable of quick color change; greatest depth of body 3.2-4.0 in SL .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Wolf cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

👄 Mouth Brooder

Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 158 m . Tropical; 30°N - 24°S East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4.1±0.72
Food Items

small fishes (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01318 × L3.14 (TL)
Max TL
18.7cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2021

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 24°S
Described By
Smith, 1961

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Cheilodipterus lachneri australis Smith 1961 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Wolf cardinalfish ↗
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