Blackbelted cardinalfish
📖 Overview
Forms dense aggregations above or among the branches of Porites cylindrica and other branching corals (e.g. Acropora Ref. 54391) of sheltered lagoons and inshore bays ; over sandy bottom at depths of 1-40 meters . Nocturnal species .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. Diagnosis: Rays: dorsal VI + I,9; anal II,14-16 (rarely 13 or 17); pectoral rays 13-14 (rarely 12). Gill rakers 5-7 + 14-17 (total, 19-23). Lateral-line scales 25+3-4 (rarely 27 or 30). Median predorsal scales 6-7 (rarely 5). Body depth 2.5-2.8 in SL; body width 2.3-2.65 in body depth; eye diameter 2.7-3.2 in head length; first dorsal spine 1.5-1.9 in second spine; second dorsal spine 2.35-3.0, and third dorsal spine 2.35-3.1 in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.2-2.6, and second anal spine 2.5-3.1 in head length; pelvic-fin length 4.5-5.1; caudal-peduncle length 4.5-5.4 in SL. Distance from insertion of pelvic spine to anal-fin origin 4.1-5.5 in SL Preopercular edge serrate. Scaly sheath along anal-fin base moderately developed . Some geographical variations. Usually a black band below second dorsal fin, but highly variable in width and may fade to barely a trace, or is completely absent. In Japanese and Indian Ocean populations, the band is usually narrow and often absent. Best identified by the two vertical orange stripes over gills and distinctive black peduncular spot .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackbelted cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Are mouthbrooders . Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m , usually 2 - 15 m . Tropical; 30°N - 23°S north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blackbelted Cardinalfish · Girdled Cardinalfish |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kuroobiatohikitenjikudai · クロオビアトヒキテンジクダイ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apogon zosterophorus | Bleeker | 1856 | Synonym |
| Archamia zosterophora | Bleeker | 1856 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Blackbelted cardinalfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .
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