Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Kurtiformes (Nurseryfishes, cardinalfishes.) >
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes) > Apogoninae
Etymology: aphanes: Name from a Greek adjective meaning obscure; referring to the difficulty identifying this species without carefully examining premaxillary and dentary teeth.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 73 m (Ref. 91763). Tropical
Western Pacific: Palau, but expected to occur elsewhere in the region.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 91763)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: fins pale with a single faint yellow stripe above the pored lateral line scales; one row of teeth in front of premaxilla to two rows on side then a single row; 1-2 rows of teeth on dentary, becoming larger on side in a single row; basicaudal spot with discrete melanophores (Ref. 91763).
Cross section: oval.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Mouthbrooders. Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).
Fraser, T.H., 2012. A new species of deeper dwelling West Pacific cardinalfish (Percomorpha: Apogonidae) with a redescription of Ostorhinchus atrogaster. Zootaxa 3492:77-84. (Ref. 91763)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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