Gymnapogon philippinus (Herre, 1939)
Philippine cardinalfish
Gymnapogon philippinus
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Pseudamiinae
Max. size:  5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 9 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Kapingamarangi and Marshall Islands (Ref. 275) south to Australia (Ref. 75174). Recently reported from the Chesterfield Islands (Ref. 11897) and Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Characterized by semitransparent larval appearance, sometimes with black spot on side of snout and tip of lower jaw; scaleless head and body; head and body with small papillae conspicuously arranged in network; middle of preopercular margin with large spine (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Sometimes occurs in schools of Rhabdamia gracilis (Ref. 1602). Rarely noticed because of small size (Ref. 48635). Occasionally collected with ichthyocides (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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