Moluccan Cardinalfish

Distinguished from other species of Apogon in the subgenus Ostorhinchus with 21-25 rudiments + gill rakers, 14-17 lower arch developed gill rakers; the roof of the mouth and portions of gill arches pale; a whitish spot behind the posterior base of the second dorsal fin (Ref. 58519).

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24

Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534).

Nocturnal species. Occurs inshore (Ref. 7300); usually in silty habitat on mud slopes, in lagoons, and sheltered reefs. Usually seen in pairs or schooling, comprising numerous pairs when adult (Ref. 48635).

分布於印度-西太平洋區，由印度至印度及馬來群島至澳洲。台灣分布於南部。

無任何經濟價值。

體長圓而側扁。頭大。吻長。眼大。D. VII-I，9；A. II，8；P. 13-14；Ll. 25；Tr. 216；Pred.S. 3； GR. 5-6+18-20；HL. 2.56-2.77；BD. 2.18-3.13 in SL；ED. 2.71-2.90；SnL. 4.33-4.88；IS.3.6-4.6 all in HL。體淡褐至黃銅色，頭部眼上下具細縱帶，第二背鰭的後方體側具一明亮小白點，以及腹部的幾條垂直狹帶。小魚時，體側上方有二條暗色縱帶，成長時則縱帶不易看出。固定之標本則滿佈小黑點，縱帶無法看出。/Apogon ventrifasciatus/ Allen, Kuiter & Randall 1994為其同種異名。

主要棲息於沿岸。以多毛類以及其它小型底棲無脊椎動物為食。

Ostorhinchus moluccensis, commonly known as Moluccan cardinalfish, is a marine fish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.