Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea and parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Conservation status
Least Concern
Edibility
Edible, but very small and not usually targeted for food. Consumption quality is little documented.
Culinary quality / 5
2
Danger level
Harmless
Usual observation depth
3–20 m
Behaviour
Generally forms small groups or loose aggregations near shelters. Primarily nocturnal; hides during the day in crevices, branching corals, or beneath overhangs. Males incubate the eggs in their mouths.
Observation zones
Coral reef, lagoon, reef slope, coral rubble, sheltered crevices and overhangs; most often observed during night dives.
Diet
Small benthic and planktonic invertebrates, including crustaceans, worms and zooplankton.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Identification marks
Small cardinalfish, laterally compressed, with a silvery to pale body marked by several fine horizontal orange to orange-red lines. A distinct dark spot is generally present at the base of the tail.
Similar species
May be confused with other striped cardinalfishes, notably species of Ostorhinchus and Taeniamia zosterophora. Check for the combination of fine orange longitudinal lines and a dark spot on the caudal peduncle; the coloration and size of the spot vary according to lighting.
Approach rules
Approach slowly and remain beyond the group's flight distance, especially during the day when it is sheltering. Do not touch or feed the fish. Avoid flash, or use minimal indirect flash, so as not to disturb nocturnal behavior.
Protection
Globally assessed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. It is not listed in the CITES Appendices. Preserve reef habitat and avoid unnecessary collection.
