Komodo Cardinalfish

Anal fin rarely with 7 soft rays; predorsal scales 3-4; preopercular margin serrate; preopercular ridge mainly smooth except a few crenations or weak serrae on lower portion; body depth 2.6-2.9 in SL; overall color pale with dusky black bar at base of caudal fin, its posterior margin concave. Remarks: gill raker count including rudiments 22-24.

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

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 24

Usually on sheltered reefs, with abundant coral. May form large aggregations near the bottom. Usually hovering close above dense branching corals or feeding high above in currents on zooplankton (Ref. 48635).