Threespot Cardinalfish

Pristicon trimaculatus is a nocturnal fish that lives in the Western Pacific Ocean; living around inshore coral reefs in waters around the Ryukyu Islands and the waters around Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef, east to Samoa and the Marshall Islands. This type of fish is uncommon.

Description

Juveniles have intense dark markings on a light background while adult's markings are dusky. Body is deep and compressed; lateral line well developed; snout moderately pointed; dorsal profile of head almost straight; no enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws; base of anal fin subequal to base of second dorsal fin in length and emarginated caudal fin. Its body colour is dark reddish brown with 3 dark saddle bands below dorsal fins; a small black spot on opercle and a small black spot at caudal-fin base. Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8.

Distribution

Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands to Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef, east to Samoa and the Marshall Islands.

Habitat

Inhabits inshore coral reefs. Nocturnal species. Solitary, also found in reef crevices and ledges in 1-35 m.

Information

• Depth Range: 1-35m
• Threats: N/A
• Water Type; Salt
• Temperature range: 25.20°C - 29.34°C
• Nitrate: 0.026 - 0.617
• Salinity: 32.019 - 35.911
• Oxygen: 4.271 - 4.746
• Phosphate: 0.085 - 0.415
• Silicate: 1.005 - 5.501
• Maximum Size: 14.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
• Aquarium Trade: Unusual
• Diet: Benthic invertebrate