Apogonichthyoides erdmanni Fraser & Allen, 2011
Deepreef cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides erdmanni
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  3.92 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 73 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Indonesia, West Papua, Raja Ampat Islands, SE of Misool Island, Fiabacet Island (Ref. 88147).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Dorsal fin VII-I,9; anal fin II,8; pectoral fin 15-15; pelvic fin I,5; principal caudal rays 9 + 8; pored lateral line scales 24; transverse scale rows above lateral line 1 with very small scale at base of first dorsal fin between large scales; transverse scale rows below lateral line 5; median predorsal scales 3, last scale at origin of first dorsal fin Vshaped and almost hidden; circumpeduncular scale rows 12 (5 +2+5). Band of villiform teeth premaxilla and dentary; one to two rows on the palatine; one row on vomer; none on ectopterygoid, endopteygoid or basihyal. Supramaxilla absent; posttemporal serrate on posterior margin; preopercle ridge smooth, edges serrate throughout margin; infraorbital edges smooth Scales cycloid on nape and anterior part of breast; two large ctenoid pelvic scales; cycloid to very short row of ctenii on cheek; scales mostly missing on opercle; last pored lateral line scale very elongate. Anterior nare a long tubule, posterior nare without raised ridge. Pores pattern on the head are shown in Figs. 2A–C. Mucous on the head obscured dorsal pores on the central region and supertemporal expanded nape area; cheek and preopercular pores not well defined. Free neuromasts obscured on head; linear lines of free neuromasts associated with principal caudal fin-rays: seven present along ventral edges of upper branched rays (3–9) and on four on dorsal edges of lower branched rays (11–14); free neuromasts lines absent on caudal fin ray number 10, upper unbranched and branched caudal rays (1–2), and lower unbranched and branched caudal rays (15–17) (Ref. 88147).
Biology:  The specimen was collected at 73m at the base of a sheer drop off exposed to moderate to strong currents. The specimen was sheltering under a large block of dead coral rubble that rested on a moderate, silty sand slope (Ref. 88147).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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