Orbiculate cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis)

Scientific name: Sphaeramia orbicularis Cuvier, 1828

Orbiculate cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis)

The Orbiculate cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis) is a marine fish of the family Apogonidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Kiribati, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia; Belau to eastern Caroline and Mariana Islands in Micronesia.

Biology

Restricted to coastal waters, forming small aggregations among mangroves, rocks, debris, or piers of shallow sheltered shorelines. Feeds at night (early evening and just before day break), primarily on planktonic crustaceans. Courtship and spawning occur fortnightly (shortly before new moons and full moons). Eggs are incubated by the male for about 8 days. Larval phase pelagic. Sexual maturity is attained at 7 cm by males and at 6 cm by females.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Sphaeramia orbicularis
Family
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
10.0
Common length
8.9
Depth range
0–5 m (0–16 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 5 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Kiribati, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia; Belau to eastern Caroline and Mariana Islands in Micronesia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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.

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