
Banggai Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
cardinalfish_g300

Cardinalfish are small, big-mouthed reef fish that hide in the reef by day and come out at night. In this app the group includes the Ringtail Cardinalfish, the Banggai Cardinalfish, and the Flamefish.
Cardinalfish are easy to miss because they hide in dark cracks in the reef during the day and only come out at night. Look for the large mouth and the split dorsal fin, then check colour and pattern to tell the different kinds apart.
Cardinalfish are small fish, most under 10 cm long, and are often brightly coloured. They have a large mouth and a dorsal fin split into two separate parts.
In at least some cardinalfish, the male carries the eggs in his mouth until they hatch, and he does not eat the whole time.
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.