Taeniamia lineolata (Cuvier, 1828)
Shimmering cardinal
Taeniamia lineolata
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  10.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: known only from the Red Sea. Reports outside this area are misidentifications of several other species, including bleekeri, flavofasciata, fucata, macroptera, and mozambiquensis.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Diagnosis: Rays: dorsal VI + I,9; anal II,12-14; pectoral rays 14 (rarely 13 or 15). Gill rakers 6-7 + 15-17. Lateral-line scales 25+3-4. Median predorsal scales 5-7. Body depth 2.4-2.6 in SL; body width 2.3-2.4 in body depth; eye diameter 2.7-2.8 in head length; first dorsal spine 1.85-2.4 in second spine; second dorsal spine 2.4-3.0, and third dorsal spine 2.4-2.9 in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.3-2.8, and second anal spine 2.7-3.0 in head length; pelvic-fin length 4.7-5.1 and caudal-peduncle length 5.0-5.35 in SL; distance from insertion of pelvic spine to anal-fin origin 4.25-4.6 in SL. Usually 1-4 small teeth present on median basilingual ridge. Posterior preopercular edge completely serrate, or nearly so; ventral edge serrate on posterior half. Scaly sheath along anal-fin base well developed (Ref. 54391).
Biology:  Schools with other Archamia species in coral reef lagoons (Ref. 559). Cryptic, hiding in dark crevices and caves in reefs during the day (Ref. 54391).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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