Iridescent Cardinalfish

Pristiapogon kallopterus is a species of cardinalfishes native to the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Description

Tan to light red brown in color, dusky scale margins; a brown mid-lateral stripe from tip of snout, through eye to upper caudal base (stripe may fade on peduncle); black spot at base of caudal fin (Ref. 2334, 4329). Further characterized by relatively broad midlateral dark stripe; yellow anterior margin on dorsal fin; green to blue iridescent shades on body when viewed with light at night; juvenile with yellowish head and belly; greatest depth of body 2.5-3.3 in SL. Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Algoa Bay, South Africa and east to the Line, Marquesan, and Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to New Zealand and Rapa.

Habitat

Occurs in clear water lagoon patch reefs and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of 45 m. Benthopelagic. Solitary. Feeds at night on small benthic and free-swimming crustaceans.