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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Bandfin cardinalfish

Pristiapogon taeniopterus Bennett, 1836
Max Length
19.6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
1–42 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits seaward reefs, in rocky and coralline areas. In or near shelter by day . Benthopelagic . Feeds on free-swimming crustaceans . Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Pristiapogon taeniopterus
Authority
Bennett, 1836
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
19.6 cm
Depth Range
1–42 m
Latitude
24°S – 28°N
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Apogoniformes
Apogoniformes
Family
Apogonidae
Apogonidae
Genus
Pristiapogon
Pristiapogon
Species
Bandfin cardinalfish
Pristiapogon taeniopterus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bandfin cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Bandfin cardinalfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

👄 Mouth Brooder

Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 42 m , usually 1 - 9 m . Tropical; 28°N - 24°S south to New Caledonia and the Cook Islands.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.6±0.3
🧍 Solitary
Food Items

free-swimming crustaceans (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01479 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
19.6cm
Dorsal Spines
8
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2023

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
25.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
28°N – 24°S
Described By
Bennett, 1836

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Bandfin cardinalfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 123 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Bandfin cardinalfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Amia menesema Jenkins 1903 Synonym
Amia taeniopterus Bennett 1836 Synonym
Apogon menesemops Lachner 1953 Synonym
Apogon menesemus Jenkins 1903 Synonym
Apogon taeniopterus Bennett 1836 Synonym
Pristiapogon menesemus Jenkins 1903 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

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View all observations for Bandfin cardinalfish ↗
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