Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus)

Scientific name: Apogon americanus Castelnau, 1855

The Brazilian flamefish (Apogon americanus) is a marine fish of the family Apogonidae. Native range: Southwest Atlantic and Eastern Central Atlantic, endemic to Brazil, including Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and St. Paul's Rocks.

Biology

Inhabits rock pools but also found to depths of at least 50 m. Hides in holes and crevices during the day. Feeds on plankton.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Apogon americanus
Family: Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 10.1
Depth range: 0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 50 m, usually 0 - 35 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Southwest Atlantic and Eastern Central Atlantic: endemic to Brazil, including Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and St. Paul's Rocks.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026