Oneline Cardinalfish

Pristiapogon exostigma is a small (max length is 12 cm) pale fish with light-ended black stripe ending in black spot above centre of stripe.

Description

Basicaudal spot is centered slightly above the level of the lateral stripe. Further characterized by pinkish to pale grey body color; narrow, tapering midlateral stripe; caudal fin base with dark spot that barely touches lateral line on its lower edge. Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Distinguished by having the following characteristics: dorsal fin rays VII-I, 9; anal fin rays II, 8; pectoral fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 23; total gill rakers 16-17, developed gill rakers 10-12; circumpeduncular scales 12; predorsal scales 4; body depth 3.0-3.4 in SL.

Distribution

It has an Indo-Pacific range which extends from the Red Sea to the Line Islands and Mangareva Islands and south to northern Australia and north to the Ryukyu Islands.

Habitat

This species spends the day sheltering under rock ledges. They can be found among isolated coral heads in the silty sheltered by reefs. It is a solitary and rather rare, nocturnal species which feeds on fishes and invertebrates. They are mouthbrooders who form pairs when courting.