Sphaeramia nematoptera (Bleeker, 1856)
Pajama cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  8.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 14 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Java to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Description: Characterized by yellow head; red band passing through iris; dark brown bar across anterior body extending onto first dorsal fin; pelvic fins dark brown; posterior body with purple spots; second dorsal fin tip elongate; greatest depth of body 1.8-2.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Forms aggregations among the branches of Porites nigrescens and P. cylindrica in sheltered bays and lagoons (Ref. 1602, 48635). Disperses at night to feed close to the bottom (Ref. 9710). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35407). Popular aquarium fish (Ref. 37816).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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