The Yellowstriped Cardinalfish – Ostorhinchus cyanosoma is a species of cardinalfish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. This fish is known for its striking yellow stripes that run along its body, contrasting with its blue-grey coloration. It is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 8.0 cm.
Description & Characteristics
The Ostorhinchus cyanosoma exhibits a distinctive color pattern that gives it its common name. It has a blue-grey body with prominent bright yellow stripes running longitudinally along its flanks. This color scheme serves as camouflage in its natural habitat. The fish has a relatively deep body, a slightly pointed snout, and large eyes.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Yellowstriped Cardinalfish – Ostorhinchus cyanosoma is typically found in shallow coastal waters, with a depth range of 1.0 to 50.0 meters. It is a common sight in coral reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds, making it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems. Its distribution spans across the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomy
The species Ostorhinchus cyanosoma belongs to the family Apogonidae, which is commonly known as the cardinalfish family. It is part of the order Kurtiformes and belongs to the class Teleostei, which includes a vast majority of bony fishes.
Feeding
The Ostorhinchus cyanosoma is a carnivorous fish that feeds primarily on small invertebrates and zooplankton. Its diet consists of various organisms like amphipods, copepods, crustaceans, fish larvae, mysis, shrimps, and other invertebrates. Its feeding habits contribute to the balance of the marine ecosystem by controlling the populations of these smaller organisms.
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