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Cardinalfish
Family Apogonidae |
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Chequered
cardinalfish
Apogon margaritophorus
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Cardinalfish
are often handsomely patterned in stripes or spots. Their common name
comes from the red colour of many of the species, although they come
in all colours from yellow to brown to blue. These fish are usually
found in small groups sheltering among the seagrass or other hiding
places during the day. Most are only active at night, and generally
have large eyes, a large mouth and large scales. Some cardinalfish
species live in close association with venomous sea urchins (e.g.,
the Urchin cardinal, Sphaeramia versicolor) and the equally
toxic Crown-of-Thorns sea star (the Crown-of-Thorns cardinal, Siphamia
fuscolineata).
Cardinalfish food: Cardinalfish
eat small crabs, prawns and other tiny animals.
Cardinalfish babies: In most species,
the males brood the eggs in their mouth. It is the female that initiates
the courtship ritual. If the male is persuaded to mate with her, she
releases her gelatinous eggs which stick together in a ball. The male
fertilises them then takes the eggs into his mouth. He often doesn't
eat until his eggs hatch. The female may stay near him to defend him.
The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that drift with the plankton
before settling down into juvenile cardinalfish.
Human uses: Some species of cardinalfish
like the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) are popular
in the live aquarium trade.
Status and threats: The Banggai
cardinalfish continue to be taken from the wild in unsustainable numbers.
This is despite success in captive breeding, which apparently cannot
keep up with demand. The Banggai cardinalfish's mouthbrooding habit
means they naturally produce fewer young.
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quick
facts
3-5cm, common in the seagrass lagoon |
