Cercamia cladara Randall & Smith, 1988
Frail cardinalfish
Cercamia cladara
photo by Hazes, B.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 40 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: from the Chesterfield Island (Coral Sea) and Tonga, east to French Polynesia (Ref. 125402). Reported from photos from Japan, Indonesia (Bali) and the Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-13; Vertebrae: 24-24. This speces is distinguished by the following characters: A II,12-13; D2 I,9; developed gill rakers on upper limb 2-3, lower limb 14-16; body translucent reddish with reddish dots and crosshatching; cheek with stellate melanophores (Ref. 125402).
Biology:  Found in corals and coral debris of ledges (Ref. 10632), also in clear coastal reefs with mixed algae (Ref. 48635). Comes out at night only, usually seen drifting above sand patches (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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