Foa brachygramma (Jenkins, 1903)
Weed cardinalfish
Kultit
Foa brachygramma
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  6.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 134 m
Distribution:  Central Pacific: Endemic to Hawaii.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: pored lateral-line scales usually 9-10 and 14-16 gill rakers and rudiments on first gill arch; body scales with narrow dark margins; body uniform to mottled brownish without darker bars on sides (except at night); the second dorsal fin, anal fin and caudal fin pale are without darkish banding; pectoral fin with no whitish spot at axil; without whitish spots at base of caudal peduncle or behind posterior base of second dorsal fin; two darkish small marks near base of caudal peduncle (Ref. 93673).

Description: D VII(I)-I,9, with the third spine longest and strongest, sixth radial free in advance of hidden nubbin representing eighth spine (Ref. 93673).

Biology:  Occurs among seagrasses, heavy algal growth, or rubble of shallow sheltered areas (Ref. 1602); sandy substrates (Ref. 76833). Readily enters brackish and also found in fresh waters (Ref. 27665). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Reported by Fowler & Bean (1930, Ref.27028) from Danawan and Si Ami islands near Alice channel, S of Sulu Is. (Ref. 280). Also Ref. 48613.


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.