Zoramia perlita (Fraser & Lachner, 1985)
Pearly cardinalfish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 12 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Sea to Papua New Guinea and Palau south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Characterized by semi-transparent with silvery blue reflections; yellow belly; last dorsal fin ray with small white spot below; base of anal fin with blackish patch above; adult males sometimes with yellow lips and yellowish bar behind eye; sometimes with dusky area on caudal fin base; variety from western Sumatra and East Andaman Sea, generally paler, lacks dusky area on caudal fin and dark patch above base of anal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Coastal, often silty reefs or shallow lagoons, forming schools just above branching corals (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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