Sponge cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx xenus) fish species and information / pictures of Sponge cardinalfish - Phaeoptyx xenus

Sponge cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx xenus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Phaeoptyx xenus

Common Name
Sponge cardinalfish

Biology
Occurs in coral reefs and rocky bottoms, frequently inhabiting cylindrical sponges like Verongia fistularis, Callyspongia plicifera, and Callyspongia vaginalis (Ref. 9626).

Classification

Classified By
B?hlke & Randall, 1968
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Cardinalfishes (Apogonidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Central Atlantic
Distribution
Western Central Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, and northeastern Gulf of Mexico to Venezuela.
Range
- 9°N

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
5 m
Depth To - meters
60 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 60 m (Ref. 9626), usually 5 - 20 m (Ref. 9626)
Trophic Level
3.42 s.e. 0.51 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
7.5 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Unknown
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (10 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated