Cardinalfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardinalfish |
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Apogon rexmullorum Cuvier, 1828 |
The cardinalfish, also known as the Mediterranean cardinalfish or king of the mullets, is a cool fish called Apogon imberbis. It's a type of ray-finned fish and belongs to the Apogonidae family, which are often called cardinalfishes. You can find this fish in the Mediterranean Sea and along the warmer parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Its home ranges from Portugal all the way south to the Gulf of Guinea.
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What Does the Cardinalfish Look Like?
The cardinalfish, Apogon imberbis, has a body that is flat on the sides and shaped like an oval. It has a really big head and a huge eye, much bigger than its snout. Its mouth is large and slants upwards, with the lower jaw sticking out a bit. Inside its mouth, it has rows of tiny, brush-like teeth.
The fins are also important. Its pectoral fins are long, reaching almost to where its anal fin starts. The caudal fin (tail fin) has a slight notch in it. The fish's body is covered in large, rough scales. These scales help protect it.
The cardinalfish is usually red or pink. Its back and the top of its head are often a darker shade. You might also see two or three dark spots near its tail fin. Sometimes these spots join together. This fish usually grows to about 10–12 centimeters (about 4-5 inches) long, but some can reach up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches). It has two dorsal fins on its back.
Where Do Cardinalfish Live?
The cardinalfish lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. You can find it from Gibraltar and southern Portugal down to Angola. It also lives around islands like the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde Islands, and the islands in the Gulf of Guinea.
This fish is also found all over the Mediterranean Sea. However, it does not live further north in the Black Sea.
Life of a Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish often hang out around rocky reefs. They also like man-made reefs, like sunken ships or structures. You can usually find them in waters from 2 to 20 meters (about 6 to 65 feet) deep. They especially love rocky cliffs and caves.
These fish are active at night. During the day, they hide in caves or other sheltered spots. They can be found alone or in groups. Sometimes, many cardinalfish gather on artificial reefs, especially in the Mediterranean.
Cardinalfish eat small fish, tiny sea creatures without backbones (invertebrates), and plankton. Plankton are tiny plants and animals that float in the water.
They breed from June to September. The male cardinalfish is a special dad! After the eggs are fertilized, he keeps them safe in his mouth until they hatch. This is called mouthbrooding. In winter, cardinalfish seem to move to deeper waters.
How People Use Cardinalfish
Sometimes, cardinalfish are used as bait for fishing. In some places, people also eat them. You might also see them in the aquarium trade, as they are sometimes sold as pets for fish tanks.
