Found in coastal reefs and outer reef lagoons. This species forms small groups with long-spined urchins (e.g. Diadema setosum in shallow sheltered waters, Ref. 1602); but was also found among the spines of Acanthaster planci . Feeds on zooplanktons and small invertebrates .
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D1 VII, D2 I,9; A II,8; pectoral fin rays 14-16; tubed lateral-line scales 20-24; median predorsal scales 4 (rarely 3 or 5); total gill rakers 2-4 + 8-10 = 11-14; developed gill rakers 1 + 7-9; gill rakers on ceratobranchial 7-8; body depth 2.3-2.7 in SL and body width 1.9-2.2 in the depth; eye diameter 2.6-3.5 in HL; first dorsal spine 2.4-4.6 in second spine; second dorsal spine 3.7-6.6, second dorsal fin spine 3.7-5.4, second anal spine 5.0-7.0, all in head length; pectoral-fin length 4.2-5.3 and pelvic-fin length 4.2-4.7 in SL; caudal peduncle length 1.5-2.1 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin; preopercular edge with 23-35 serrations, the preopercular ridge smooth; scales mostly spinoid, but some cycloid scales on anterior part of body; vomer and palatines with 1-2 series of small teeth, but palatines sometimes toothless; tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Behavioural data for Tubifer cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.
Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m , usually 1 - 18 m . Tropical West Pacific: from the Red Sea south to Madagascar and east through the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India to the Andaman Sea Islands and Western Australia; north to Ryukyus; throughout the Indo-Malayan region to Vanuatu.
zooplanktons and small invertebrates (Ref
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amia versicolor | Smith & Radcliffe | 1911 | Synonym |
| Beanea trivittata | Steindachner | 1902 | Synonym |
| Siphamia cuprea | Lachner | 1953 | Synonym |
| Siphamia ovalis | Lachner | 1953 | Synonym |
| Siphamia permutata | Klausewitz | 1966 | Synonym |
| Siphamia versicolor | Smith & Radcliffe | 1911 | Synonym |
The following diseases are known to affect Tubifer cardinalfish.
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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