HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishCardinalfishesDusky-tailed cardinalfish Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Archamia macroptera) Scientific name: Archamia macroptera Cuvier, 1828 The Dusky-tailed cardinalfish (Archamia macroptera) is a marine fish of the family Apogonidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Diagnosis: Rays: dorsal VI + I,9; anal II,13-15; pectoral rays 14 (rarely 13 or 15). Gill rakers 5-6 + 15-17. Lateral-line scales 25+3-5. Median predorsal scales 5-7. Body depth 2.4-2.7 in SL; body width 2.3-2.6 in body depth; eye diameter 2.55-3.0 in head length; first dorsal spine 2.0-2.9 in second spine; second dorsal spine 2.3-2.9, and third dorsal spine 2.4-2.8 in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.3-2.8, and second anal spine 2.6-3.2 in head length; pelvic-fin length 4.5-5.15 and caudal-peduncle length 4.3-5.4 in SL; distance from insertion of pelvic spine to anal-fin origin 3.8-4.8 in SL. Basilingual teeth absent. Posterior preopercular edge completely serrate, or nearly so; ventral edge serrate on posterior half. Scaly sheath along anal-fin base poorly developed or absent.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameArchamia macropteraFamilyApogonidae (Cardinalfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length9.0Depth range0–15 m (0–49 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 15 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026