Zoramia leptacanthus (Bleeker, 1856)
Threadfin cardinalfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 12 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Mozambique Island (Ref. 4329) to Samoa and Tonga, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Semi-transparent to whitish in color with blue spots and incomplete, narrow, orange bars on head and anterior part of body (Ref. 2334). Tall first dorsal fin, eyes blue (Ref. 48635). Elongate first dorsal fin; greatest depth of body 2.1-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Dense aggregations (often mixed with other species, like Archamia fucata, A. zosterophora are found above mounds of branching coral Porites cylindrica in sheltered, often turbid bays and lagoons (Ref. 1602, 48635). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 December 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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