Wolf Cardinalfish

Juveniles have a small black spot surrounded by a large gold blotch on the caudal peduncle (Ref. 37816); characterized further by the following: mauve or pale grey color with eight reddish brown stripes; blackish to brown caudal fin base; adults capable of quick color change; greatest depth of body 3.2-4.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

Occurs in sheltered bays and lagoon patch reefs from 5 to at least 20 m, forming small, loose aggregates in caves or just above branches of certain corals (Ref. 1602). Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 37816).

Occurs in sheltered bays and lagoon patch reefs from 5 to at least 20 m, forming small, loose aggregates in caves or just above branches of certain corals (Ref. 1602). Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 37816).

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起東非，東至土木土群島，北至台灣、日本，南迄澳洲大堡礁。台灣分布於南部及綠島海域等。

無任何經濟價值。

體狹長；前鰓蓋緣呈鋸齒；體被櫛鱗；側線完全。具大犬齒和上主上頜骨；鋤骨和口蓋骨有齒；鋤骨後面有一至四較大齒，有時口蓋骨前端也有大齒；尾鰭呈叉狀。D. VI-I，9；A. II，8；P. 13；GR. 2+1+9-11； Ll. 27-28。體側有8-10條寬窄相間之黃褐至深褐色縱帶，全部之縱帶皆窄於淡色之縱帶間；尾柄有具一粗金黃色環之小眼斑。第一背鰭和腹鰭色暗，其它各鰭色淡呈白色，尾鰭上下緣黑色。

主要棲息於近岸海灣或潟湖內之片狀珊瑚礁區。成一小群生活於洞穴或片狀珊瑚間，以小魚為食。

Occurs in sheltered bays and lagoon patch reefs from 5 to at least 20 m, forming small, loose aggregates in mid-waters caves or just above branches of certain corals (Ref. 1602).