Dusky cardinalfish
📖 Overview
Dusky cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx pigmentaria), first described by Poey, 1860 is a small fish in the family Apogonidae (order Apogoniformes). Adults typically reach 8.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 13 to 50 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Apogonidae kept in the hobby.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Large melanophores that form star-shaped spots, usually 1 per scale below lateral line .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Dusky cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 13 - 50 m . Tropical; 32°N - 23°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Dusky Cardinalfish · Peppered cardinalfish · Pigmented cardinalfish |
| 🌍CES | parmovec pigmentovaný |
| 🇫🇷French | Cardinal moucheté |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Goma-tenjikudai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cardeal-pigmentado · Cardeal-pintado · apogon-pintado · totó-chita |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cardenal estrellado · cardenal pigmentado · cardenal prieto |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Dusky cardinalfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 111 records indexed .
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