Fowleria variegata (Valenciennes, 1832)
Variegated cardinalfish
Fowleria variegata
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 27 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Oman, Persian Gulf, Kenya, Maldives; east to the Samoa Islands; north to Ryukyu Islands and south to New South Wales (Australia).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VII + I,9; A II,8; pectoral fin rays 12-14; lateral-line scales 23 (23rd overlapping caudal-fin base), the first 10-13 with tubes; median predorsal scales 4; total gill-rakers 3-4 + 11-13; developed rakers 1+ 5-6; rear edge of preopercle ridge smooth, the lower edge membranous and crenulate; body depth 2.5-2.95, head length 2.3-2.4 in SL; snout length 4.2-4.5, eye diameter 3.1-3.8, interorbital width 5.8-7.05, and upper-jaw length 1.9-2.0, all in head length; jaws and vomer with villiform teeth in bands, none on palatines; caudal-peduncle depth 1.15-1.45 in peduncle length, and peduncle length 4.2-4.7 in SL; round shaped caudal fin (Ref. 50837).
Biology:  Found in coral reefs and seagrass beds of inner bays and shallow lagoons (Ref. 1602); also in dead reef and rubble (Ref. 48635). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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