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Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus)

Photo of Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus)

Key facts

Scientific name
Ostorhinchus compressus
Common name
Ochre-striped cardinalfish
Category
Fish
Family
Apogonidae
Genus
Ostorhinchus
Size
7–12 cm
Depth
1–20 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
coral-reef
Behaviours
schooling
Ocean zones
Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Description

Ostorhinchus compressus reaches 12 cm. Indo-Pacific cardinalfish with laterally compressed body (hence compressus) metallic blue-green with distinctive black-white longitudinal line on flanks and large red eye. Lives in dense schools from 1 to 20 m under table corals and shallow coralligenous of central and western Indo-Pacific. Nocturnal, comes out to hunt zooplankton at night. Male mouth brooding. Classic macro photo subject of shallow coral dives.

Photo of Ochre-striped cardinalfish

Photo of Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus)Photo of Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus)Photo of Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus)

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Ochre-striped cardinalfish?
Ochre-striped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus compressus) reaches 7–12 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Ochre-striped cardinalfish?
Ochre-striped cardinalfish is found between 1–20 m deep.
Is the Ochre-striped cardinalfish dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Ochre-striped cardinalfish?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Ochre-striped cardinalfish?
Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Other species in the genus Ostorhinchus

  • Ostorhinchus cyanosoma - Yellowstriped cardinalfish
  • Ostorhinchus aureus - Golden Cardinalfish

Other species in the family Apogonidae

  • Apogon imberbis - Cardinal fish
  • Pterapogon kauderni - Banggai cardinalfish
  • Sphaeramia nematoptera - Pajama cardinalfish
  • Apogon kiensis - Rifle cardinalfish
  • Zoramia leptacantha - Threadfin cardinalfish
  • Apogonichthyoides melas - Black cardinalfish

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 712653)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5788261)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia