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Banggai Cardinal Fish (Pterapogon kauderni)
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Description: The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is a small tropical cardinal fish in the family Apogonidae. This species is restricted to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. It grows up to 8 cm (3 in) total in length & has a distinctive pattern of black & light bars with white spots. The species inhabits a variety of shallow habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds & open areas of sand & rubble. It is most common in calm habitats on the protected side of larger islands. It is often found associated with the seagrass Enhalus acoroides & the long spined sea urchin Diadema setosum. It occurs among various living benthic substrates such as sea urchins, sea anemones & branching corals; young fish are most commonly associated with sea anemone, while juveniles & adults occur most frequently among long-spined sea urchins & branching corals, as well as sea stars, hydrozoans & mangrove prop roots. Individuals of 2-60 hover directly above the urchins, with the younger ones staying closer to the urchins. The fish retreat among the spines when threatened. Banggai cardinalfish often coexist with various anemone fish & anemone shrimp when sheltering in anemones & corals or sea urchin spines. They are an opportunistic species that feeds during the day. Their diet consists of planktonic, demersal & benthic organisms & Copepods constitute a bulk of their diet. The Banggai cardinalfish is a paternal mouthbrooder. Females play an active role in courtship & pair formation, which occurs a few hours up to a few days before s ing; mating pairs establish s ing territories several meters away from the main group & vigorously defend these territories. The large eggs are about 2.5 millimetres in diameter. The male broods the eggs & later the fry in his mouth cavity. The male does not eat at this time & will hold the brood of around 25 fry for 4-5 weeks. The species has a short life span only living 4 years under ideal conditions in captivity & 1-2 years in the wild.
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 11/15/2011
Views: 294
File Size: 51 KB
