Ostorhinchus margaritophorus (Bleeker, 1855)
Red-striped cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus margaritophorus
photo by Bos, A.R.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  6.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 5 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Indo-Malay Archipelago to Solomon Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Characterized by white body color; pair of midlateral reddish stripes with row of white spots in between; upper back reddish with narrow white stripe along dorsal profile; pair of silvery stripes from snout through eye; black first dorsal fin tip; greatest depth of body 3.1-3.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in shallow coral reefs around lagoons and sheltered bays (Ref. 36661). In small groups, usually sheltering near long-spined urchins or large anemones in seagrasses (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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