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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Rufus cardinalfish

Pristicon rufus Randall & Fraser, 1999
Max Length
8 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
15–80 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Collected from exposed coral reefs . Solitary, also found in outer reef slopes in 15-80 m (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Pristicon rufus
Authority
Randall & Fraser, 1999
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
8 cm
Depth Range
15–80 m
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. Color in alcohol light brown. Color in life light reddish brown, the edges of scales darker than centers. Two faint blackish bars on body, one beneath each dorsal fin. A small blackish spot midposteriorly on caudal peduncle. A faint blackish spot of about the same size on opercle, with a faint pale area around it, and a faint dark marking above. A thin blackish steak extending posteriorly and slightly downward from lower edge of eye. First dorsal fin light brown with a broad blackish anterior margin and a pale bluish posterior margin. Second dorsal and anal fins light brownish red with a basal band of yellowish dark brown edged with pale bluish. Caudal fin light reddish brown, the upper and lower edges dark brown. Pectoral fins light red. Pelvic fins with clear membranes, the rays orange-yellow, the lateral edge brownish. Iris mainly yellow (Ref 40889).: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rufus cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

👄 Mouth Brooder

Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 15 - 80 m . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.4±0.5
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01479 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
8cm
Dorsal Spines
7
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ 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
14.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Randall & Fraser, 1999

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