| Family: |
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 200 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea: Portugal to Morocco and the Azores. Elsewhere, southward to Gulf of Guinea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Eye very large, much greater than snout. Pectoral fin long, reaching at least origin of anal fin. Preopercular edge only slightly serrated, preopercular ridge smooth. Body and fins red or pink, back and upper surface of head dusky. Two or three dark spots, sometimes joined, along base of caudal fin. |
| Biology: |
Occasionally forms schools; sometimes solitary. Inhabits muddy or rocky bottoms and caves (Ref. 4738). A sciaphilous species thriving in a number of shady/dark habitats and frequents marine caves, where it forms large schools (Ref. 118281). Feeds on small invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 4738). Observed to feed in the water column and just over the bottom, always at night; 93.4% of observed events occurring outside the caves, usually on rocky bottoms and Posidonia oceanica meadows, and to a lesser extent on pebbles (Ref. 118281). Oral brooding by males (Ref. 4738). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
