Nectamia bandanensis (Bleeker, 1854)
Bigeye cardinalfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 34 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Moluccas and Philippines to Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to southern Great Barrier Reef; Mariana and Caroline Islands in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Characterized by having dorsal fin rays VII-I, 9; anal fin rays II,8; pectoral fin rays 13; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 24; predorsal scales 3-4; circumpeduncular scales 12 (Ref. 93839); color is coppery or silvery with saddle or bar across the caudal peduncle and a wedge-shaped bar below the eye. Similar to A. fuscus but usually has fewer gill rakers (25-27 versus 28-30). Leading edge of ventral fin clearly pale-blue (Ref. 48635); characterized further by grey caudal peduncle with broad dark bar at base; pale grey at night; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occur in outer reef slopes generally at depths below 30 m (Ref. 1602). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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