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Verulux cypselurus (Weber, 1909) Swallowtail cardinalfish |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae | |||
| Max. size: | 6 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 15 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo West Pacific: | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-10. This species is characterized by the following: D VI-I; 9, A II, 9; an intermittent black stripe from the snout to the middle of the opercle; no black blotch on the caudal-fin base (Ref. 109581); semi-transparent body with yellowish sheen on head and belly; side of snout with black spot or short stripe; each caudal fin lobe with blackish submarginal band; greatest depth of body 3.8-4.3 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Forms large shoals among rocks or above corals of lagoon patch reefs (Ref. 1602). Often schools with R. gracilis (Ref. 37816). Spreads out at night, floating mid-water to catch plankton (Ref. 48635). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||