Taeniamia melasma (Lachner & Taylor, 1960)
Blackspot cardinalfish
Taeniamia melasma
photo by Allen, G.R.

 Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)
 Max. size:  8.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 2 - 12 m
 Distribution:  Western Pacific: Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea (Ref. 90102); including Australia (Ref. 94127)..
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-19. Colour pale pinkish grey with black band under the eye; a large black spot above upper posterior edge of opercle; numerous narrow orange bars on side. Differs from T. biguttata in lacking the spot on the caudal-fin base and having a diffuse dark bar directly below the large spot above the gill cover (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Inhabits sheltered coastal reefs, often in silty areas. Forms small aggregagations, usually among branching Acropora corals (unlike Archamia biguttata which prefers caves and ledges) (Ref. 90102).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 13.06.14

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 Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10