Ostorhinchus compressus (Smith & Radcliffe, 1911)
Ochre-striped cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus compressus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m,
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Malaysia east to Palau in Micronesia and the Solomon Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Color is white or pinkish with about six red-brown stripes on side; 3-4 dark spots at the base of the caudal fin. Eyes iridescent blue. Small juveniles have yellow caudal peduncle with black spot in centre, mimicking the large-toothed Cheilodipterus species. That enables them to swim about more freely (Ref. 48635).
Biology:  Found in small aggregates among or near mounds of branching corals such as Porites cylindrica or P. nigrescens (Ref. 1602). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35404).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.