Five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
- Common name
- Five-lined cardinalfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Apogonidae
- Genus
- Cheilodipterus
- Size
- 8–13 cm
- Depth
- 1–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus reaches 13 cm. Indo-Pacific cardinalfish (Apogonidae) with silver-white body with 5 characteristic blue-black longitudinal lines (hence quinquelineatus), distinctive orange spot at tail base, prominent visible canine teeth (hence Cheilodipterus, toothed lips). Lives in schools from 1 to 40 m under corals and in caves of entire Indo-Pacific. More predator than other Apogonidae (not just planktivore). Male mouth brooding. Iconic macro photo subject for visible fangs.
Photo of Five-lined cardinalfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Five-lined cardinalfish?
- Five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus) reaches 8–13 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Five-lined cardinalfish?
- Five-lined cardinalfish is found between 1–40 m deep.
- Is the Five-lined cardinalfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Five-lined cardinalfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Five-lined cardinalfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Cheilodipterus
Other species in the family Apogonidae
- Apogon imberbis - Cardinal fish
- Sphaeramia nematoptera - Pajama cardinalfish
- Pterapogon kauderni - Banggai cardinalfish
- Siphamia tubifer - Urchin cardinalfish
- Apogonichthyoides melas - Black cardinalfish
- Ostorhinchus compressus - Ochre-striped cardinalfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 209371)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2397549)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia