Dwarf Cardinalfish

Mottled brown with 6 to 8 pale bars and 3 to 4 dark bands radiating from the eye (Ref. 37816).Description: Characterized by absence of dark spot on opercle; incomplete lateral line with 9-11 tubed scales; greatest depth of body 2.7-2.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

Nocturnal species which occurs inshore (Ref. 75154).

Occurs inshore in reef areas (Ref. 7300) among Acropora corals (Ref. 37816). Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 89972). Solitary and cryptic (Ref 90102).

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起紅海、模里西斯，東至萊恩群島及東加，北至台灣、菲律賓，南迄澳洲及新加勒多尼亞等。台灣分布於南部、小琉球、蘭嶼及綠島等。

無任何經濟價值。

體小型，狹長而側扁；側線不完全，僅延伸至第一背鰭基底後下方。鱗易脫落。尾鰭圓。D. VIII-I，9；A. II，8；P. 12-13；Ll. 9-10；developed GR. 1+1+4。體褐色，頭部有3-4條從眼向外的暗色輻射帶，體側具6-8條淡色橫帶；鰓蓋上無眼斑；各鰭皆具多條紅褐色點帶紋。原記載之小天竺鯛(/Foa abocellata/)為其同種異名。

主要棲息於珊瑚礁區。以浮游動物或其它底棲無脊椎動物為食。