Dusky-tailed cardinalfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits lagoon and fringing coral and rocky reefs with sand or rubble bottom in relatively clear water. Usually in aggregations, among branching corals, sometimes with its congeners .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Diagnosis: Rays: dorsal VI + I,9; anal II,13-15; pectoral rays 14 (rarely 13 or 15). Gill rakers 5-6 + 15-17. Lateral-line scales 25+3-5. Median predorsal scales 5-7. Body depth 2.4-2.7 in SL; body width 2.3-2.6 in body depth; eye diameter 2.55-3.0 in head length; first dorsal spine 2.0-2.9 in second spine; second dorsal spine 2.3-2.9, and third dorsal spine 2.4-2.8 in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.3-2.8, and second anal spine 2.6-3.2 in head length; pelvic-fin length 4.5-5.15 and caudal-peduncle length 4.3-5.4 in SL; distance from insertion of pelvic spine to anal-fin origin 3.8-4.8 in SL. Basilingual teeth absent. Posterior preopercular edge completely serrate, or nearly so; ventral edge serrate on posterior half. Scaly sheath along anal-fin base poorly developed or absent .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Dusky-tailed cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 20 m . Tropical West Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Dusky-tailed cardinalfish.
🔍 Similar Species
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