Yellow Cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus flavus Allen & Randall, 1993

Scientific name: Ostorhinchus flavus
Alternative name/s:
Brassy Cardinalfish
Yellow Cardinalfish, Apogon flavus Click to enlarge image
A Yellow Cardinalfish at a depth of 16m, Yellow Rock, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, 27 December 2008. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Ostorhinchus
    Species
    flavus
    Family
    Apogonidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

Not surprisingly, the Yellow Cardinalfish is primarily yellow in colouration. In Australia the species occurs in tropical marine waters of Queensland, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.

Identification

There is a distinct dark spot on the caudal peduncle and a brown stripe from the tip of the lower jaw to the eyes.

Yellow Cardinalfish, Apogon flavus
A Yellow Cardinalfish at a depth of 16m, Yellow Rock, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, 27 December 2008. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Distribution

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 flavus I.20260-009
Holotype of Apogon flavus from the Australian Museum collection. Image: Mark Allen
© Australian Museum

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.