Teleostei (teleosts) >
Kurtiformes (Nurseryfishes, cardinalfishes.) >
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes) > Apogoninae
Etymology: Sphaeramia: Greek, sphaira = ball + Greek, amia = a kind of shark (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 14 m (Ref. 11890). Tropical; 31°N - 23°S, 94°E - 175°W
Indo-Pacific: Java to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 48635); max. published weight: 19.80 g (Ref. 132169)
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).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Are mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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