Ring-tailed Cardinalfish, scientifically known as Apogon aureus, is found in many places, such as the Red Sea, East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Australia.
It belongs to the Apogonidae family. This fish likes to live in holes in rocks or under ledges in shallow water.
During summer and autumn, it groups together with another fish called Apogon apogonoides.
However, it forms separate groups in winter and spring. Ring-tailed Cardinalfish is known for forming large gatherings and is safe for coral reefs.
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish Interesting Facts
- Ring-tailed Cardinalfish is found in various locations including the Red Sea, East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Australia.
- This fish prefers living near reefs at depths of 1 to 40 meters (3 to 131 feet) and thrives in tropical climates.
- It has a unique coppery color with iridescence and displays mouthbrooding behavior to protect its eggs during reproduction.
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish Habitat
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish is found in the Indo-West Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Papua New Guinea.
Its range also extends north to Miyakejima, Japan, and south to Australia and New Caledonia.
This fish lives in marine environments near reefs, at depths of 1 to 40 meters (3 to 131 feet). It prefers tropical climates between 30°N to 30°S latitudes.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters)
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish grows up to 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters) long.
It has unique features, such as 8 dorsal spines and 9 soft rays on its back fin, 2 anal spines and 8 soft rays on its bottom fin, and 14 vertebrae in its backbone.
This fish also has specific characteristics like certain numbers of fin rays and scales and a coppery color with iridescence, becoming paler towards the back.
There’s also a black stripe with a blue border running from the snout through the eye. However, it lacks dark bars on its cheek.
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish mouth is large and slanted, with smooth preopercular ridges but serrated edges at the back and bottom.
Both young and adult fish have a black bar around their tail area.
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish Reproduction
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish is a mouthbrooding fish, meaning it carries its eggs in its mouth to protect them.
During mating, this fish displays unique pairing behavior as it courts and spawns with its partner.
Ring-tailed Cardinalfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Kurtiformes |
| Family: | Apogonidae |
| Genus: | Ostorhinchus |
| Scientific Name: | Apogon aureus |
| Also Known As: | Ring-tailed Cardinalfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |