Animal Species:Capricorn Cardinalfish, Apogon capricornis (Allen & Randall, 1993)

The Capricorn Cardinalfish is a small, subtropical marine species. It is yellowish fish with a black spot on the caudal peduncle.

A Capricorn Cardinalfish at North Solitary Island

A Capricorn Cardinalfish at North Solitary Island
Ian Shaw © Ian Shaw

Identification

The Capricorn Cardinalfish is dusky yellow above and brassy to golden below. It has a black spot on the caudal peduncle and bright blue lines that run from the snout through the eye. The lower line reaches the posterior margin of the operculum.

Size range

The species grows to 8cm in length.

Distribution

It has been found in scattered localities from the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland south to Sydney, New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Apogon capricornis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Capricorn Cardinalfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
capricornis
Genus:
Apogon
Family:
Apogonidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


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Tags fish, ichthyology, Capricorn Cardinalfish, Apogon capricornis, subtropical water, marine, dots/spots, yellow, blue stripes, stripes or bands, < 10 cm, Great Barrier Reef,