Teleostei (teleosts) >
Kurtiformes (Nurseryfishes, cardinalfishes.) >
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes) > Apogoninae
Etymology: neotes: Name from Greek meaning youth, referring to the juvenile appearance of this neotenic species (Ref. 11893).
More on authors: Allen, Kuiter & Randall.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 25 m (Ref. 11893), usually 15 - 20 m (Ref. 48636). Tropical
Western Central Pacific: Philippines (Ref. 48613); Maumere Bay (Indonesia), Palau and Madang, Papua New Guinea; Australia (Ref. 75154) and Solomon Islands (Ref. 90102). Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 2.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 11893)
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24. This species is distinguished by having D VI-I,9; A II,8; pectoral rays 13; mid-lateral line scales 24; tubed lateral line scales absent; predorsal scales 4; gill rakers 5+16-18, excluding an indistinct rudiment on upper limb; preopercular margin serrate; preopercular ridge smooth; vomer and palatine toothless; body depth 4.2-4.7 in SL; semi-transparent in life with black sub-dermal midlateral stripe and black, pupil-sized spot at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 11893).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Inhabits lagoons and outer reefs in relatively clear water; usually with soft corals or gorgonian fans (Ref. 11893). Forms small schools (Ref. 48636).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., R.H. Kuiter and J.E. Randall, 1994. Descriptions of five new species of cardinalfishes (Apogonidae: Apogon) from Maumere Bay, Flores, Indonesia and surrounding regions. Rev. Fr. Aquariol. 21(1-2):27-38. (Ref. 11893)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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