Moluccan Cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus moluccensis is a marine fish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Desciption

It has a silvery to brown or reddish-brown body with a distinct white spot behind the rear of the dorsal fin, often a broad dusky mid-lateral stripes, with a narrower partial stripes above, brown and whitish stripes on the head.

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24. 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.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: South Africa and India eastward to Fiji; north to Taiwan, south to Australia.

Habitat

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