False Ear Spot Cardinalfish

Description: Characterized by purplish brown body color; black stripe from snout through eye; side of nape with black spot; caudal fin base with large, vertically ovate black spot; black anterior edge on first dorsal fin; base of second dorsal with black stripe; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).

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

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

In clear lagoons with deep sand slopes, forming schools above remote rock or coral outcrops to 30 m depth (Ref. 48635). Nocturnal species (Ref. 75154). Forms aggregations (Ref 90102).