The belted cardinalfish (Apogon townsendi) is a tropical marine fish in the genus Apogon. They grow up to 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in) in length. Belted cardinalfish are found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, off Central and South America, inhabiting caves and holes. They are pinkish-red on the dorsal side and yellowish-red on the ventral side. Their eggs are carried in the mouth of the adult as they mature.[2]
Belted cardinalfish reach a maximum length of 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in).[3] They have two dorsal fins; there are six spines in the first and one on the first with nine rays.[2] The pectoral fins have 12 rays and the anal fins have two spines and eight rays.[4] The caudal (tail) fin is forked with twelve scales around the caudal peduncle.
The dorsal side is red or reddish-pink, whereas the ventral side is reddish-yellow.[4] A dark ring is present anterior to the caudal fin, lightening towards the caudal fin. A dark, thin belt extends from the base of the second dorsal fin to the base of the anal fin.[4] The scales of the belted cardinalfish have a toothed margin and are shed periodically.[4] The eggs are carried in the mouth of the adult as they mature.[2] The edibility of this species has been described as "poor".[5]
Distribution and habitatedit
Belted cardinalfish are marine fish. They are distributed through the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in waters off of northeastern South America.[3] They are found in waters from northern South America north to southern Florida, including Bermuda. Their range comprises the Antilles as well.[4] Belted cardinalfish are found in rocky areas and reefs near drop-offs.[3] They are often found near reefs at depths of 3 to 55 metres (9.8 to 180.4 ft).[3] Belted cardinalfish inhabit caves and holes, and may be found among the spines of the long-spined urchin.[2]
Referencesedit
^Gilmore, G.; Fraser, T. (2015). "Apogon townsendi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T185936A1791680. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T185936A1791680.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
^ abcdRichards, William Joseph (2006). Early stages of Atlantic fishes: an identification guide for the western central North Atlantic. Vol. 1. Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 1386. ISBN978-0-8493-1916-7.
^ abcdFroese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2010). "Apogon townsendi" in FishBase. January 2010 version.
^ abcdeMcEachran, John D.; Janice D. Fechhelm (2005). Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Scorpaeniformes to Tetraodontiformes. Vol. 2. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 228. ISBN978-0-292-70634-7.
^Goodson, Gar (1985). Fishes of the Atlantic Coast: Canada to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. Stanford University Press. p. 109. ISBN978-0-8047-1268-2.
External linksedit
Photos of Belted cardinalfish on Sealife Collection
April 12, 2024
belted, cardinalfish, belted, cardinalfish, apogon, townsendi, tropical, marine, fish, genus, apogon, they, grow, centimetres, length, found, waters, western, atlantic, ocean, central, south, america, inhabiting, caves, holes, they, pinkish, dorsal, side, yell. The belted cardinalfish Apogon townsendi is a tropical marine fish in the genus Apogon They grow up to 6 5 centimetres 2 6 in in length Belted cardinalfish are found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean off Central and South America inhabiting caves and holes They are pinkish red on the dorsal side and yellowish red on the ventral side Their eggs are carried in the mouth of the adult as they mature 2 Belted cardinalfishApogon townsendiConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ActinopterygiiOrder KurtiformesFamily ApogonidaeGenus ApogonSpecies A townsendiBinomial nameApogon townsendiBreder 1927 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 References 4 External linksDescription editBelted cardinalfish reach a maximum length of 6 5 centimetres 2 6 in 3 They have two dorsal fins there are six spines in the first and one on the first with nine rays 2 The pectoral fins have 12 rays and the anal fins have two spines and eight rays 4 The caudal tail fin is forked with twelve scales around the caudal peduncle The dorsal side is red or reddish pink whereas the ventral side is reddish yellow 4 A dark ring is present anterior to the caudal fin lightening towards the caudal fin A dark thin belt extends from the base of the second dorsal fin to the base of the anal fin 4 The scales of the belted cardinalfish have a toothed margin and are shed periodically 4 The eggs are carried in the mouth of the adult as they mature 2 The edibility of this species has been described as poor 5 Distribution and habitat editBelted cardinalfish are marine fish They are distributed through the Caribbean Sea Gulf of Mexico and in waters off of northeastern South America 3 They are found in waters from northern South America north to southern Florida including Bermuda Their range comprises the Antilles as well 4 Belted cardinalfish are found in rocky areas and reefs near drop offs 3 They are often found near reefs at depths of 3 to 55 metres 9 8 to 180 4 ft 3 Belted cardinalfish inhabit caves and holes and may be found among the spines of the long spined urchin 2 References edit Gilmore G Fraser T 2015 Apogon townsendi IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015 e T185936A1791680 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2015 2 RLTS T185936A1791680 en Retrieved 20 November 2021 a b c d Richards William Joseph 2006 Early stages of Atlantic fishes an identification guide for the western central North Atlantic Vol 1 Boca Raton CRC Press p 1386 ISBN 978 0 8493 1916 7 a b c d Froese Rainer Pauly Daniel eds 2010 Apogon townsendi in FishBase January 2010 version a b c d e McEachran John D Janice D Fechhelm 2005 Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico Scorpaeniformes to Tetraodontiformes Vol 2 Austin University of Texas Press p 228 ISBN 978 0 292 70634 7 Goodson Gar 1985 Fishes of the Atlantic Coast Canada to Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico Stanford University Press p 109 ISBN 978 0 8047 1268 2 External links editPhotos of Belted cardinalfish on Sealife Collection Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Belted cardinalfish amp oldid 1183458973, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
