Capricorn Cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus capricornis (Allen & Randall, 1993)

Scientific name: Ostorhinchus capricornis
  • Updated
    15/02/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Capricorn Cardinalfish Click to enlarge image
A Capricorn Cardinalfish at a depth of 23 m, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, April 2001. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Ostorhinchus
    Species
    capricornis
    Family
    Apogonidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 8cm in length.

Introduction

The Capricorn Cardinalfish is a small, subtropical marine species. It is yellowish fish with a black spot on the caudal peduncle.

Identification

The Capricorn Cardinalfish is dusky yellow above and brassy to golden below. It has a black spot on the caudal peduncle and bright blue lines that run from the snout through the eye. The lower line reaches the posterior margin of the operculum.

Distribution

It has been found in scattered localities from the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland south to Sydney, New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.