TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)

Genus/species: Sphaeramia orbicularis

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Orbicular Cardinalfish color is greenish grey with silvery reflections. A narrow dark mid body vertical bar is present from the origin of spiny dorsal fin to just in front of anus. There are variable-sized scattered spots on rear of the body. The pelvic fins have a dark bar.

Length up to 11.5 cm (4.5 inches).

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: S.orbicularis is native to the Indo-Pacific, E. Africa to Figi, S.W. Japan to New Caledonia. Found in coastal waters among mangroves, rocks, debris and piers. Depth to 3 meters.

DIET IN THE WILD: It feeds at night on planktonic crustaceans.

REPRODUCTION: Like all cardinalfishes they are paternal mouthbrooders.

CONSERVATION: IUCN 2006 Red List; Not evaluated.

References:

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Mangrove Pop-Up, Main floor (level one) 2018

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/39777042992/in/album-72157675807621922/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/4926

Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/221177/details

Reef Fish ID Tropical Pacific, Allen et/al 2003, page 266.

Ron’sWordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Uj