Blackbelly Cardinalfish

Redescription of the holotype: dorsal fin, 2 supernumerary spines on first pterygiophore, first spine missing; anal fin with 1 supernumerary spine on first pterygiophore, second spine in serial association with first pterygiophore, the following ray is branched; principal caudal rays 9+8, branched caudal rays 8+7; upper gill arch with 3 rudiments and 5 developed gill rakers, lower gill arch without rudiments and 19 developed gill rakers; villiform teeth in several rows on the premaxilla; 1 row on the dentary, 1 on the palatine and vomer; none on ectopterygoid, endopterygoid or basihyal; scales none; hypurals 3 and 4 partially fused, hypurals 1, 2 and 5 free; one pair of slender uroneurals; 3 epurals; a free parhypural; 3 supraneurals as 0/0/0/ in association with anterior neural spines, none procumbent; no supramaxilla; posttemporal serrate on posterior margin; preopercle ridge smooth, edges serrate on posterior vertical and ventral horizontal margins; infraorbital edge smooth.; no color remains on the body. Species authors described the color pattern as: ground color cream-buff; traces of a slightly decurved, silvery-white band from scapula to base of caudal; tip of chin and snout to middle of eye dusky black; dusky points on head; iris silvery; tip of spinous dorsal, blackish; caudal dusky distally; other fins hyaline; peritoneum silvery white; stomach jet black (Ref. 91763).

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; Vertebrae: 24

Found in inshore reef areas. Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

gamefish: yes