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Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma)

Photo of Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma)

Key facts

Scientific name
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Common name
Yellowstriped cardinalfish
Category
Fish
Family
Apogonidae
Genus
Ostorhinchus
Size
5–8 cm
Depth
1–50 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
coral-reef
Behaviours
schooling, nocturnal
Ocean zones
Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Description

Ostorhinchus cyanosoma reaches 8 cm. Indo-Pacific cardinalfish (Apogonidae) very distinctive by its pale blue-purple translucent body crossed by 6 parallel bright golden-yellow longitudinal lines. Lives in dense schools from 1 to 50 m in crevices and under table corals of entire Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to central Pacific). Nocturnal. Male mouth brooding. Iconic wide-angle photo subject for tight reflective schools in caves and coral shelters.

Photo of Yellowstriped cardinalfish

Photo of Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma)Photo of Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma)Photo of Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma)

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Yellowstriped cardinalfish?
Yellowstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma) reaches 5–8 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Yellowstriped cardinalfish?
Yellowstriped cardinalfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
Is the Yellowstriped cardinalfish dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Yellowstriped cardinalfish?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Yellowstriped cardinalfish?
Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Other species in the genus Ostorhinchus

  • Ostorhinchus compressus - Ochre-striped 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 319876)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2397348)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia