Banggai Cardinalfish
(Pterapogon kauderni)
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Animal Type
Fish
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Exhibits
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Range
Pacific Ocean
Overview
This small, disc-shaped fish is easily recognized by its tasseled first dorsal fin; long, tapering second dorsal fin; and deeply forked tail, or caudal fin. The Banggai cardinalfish’s colors are striking—bright silver flecks and several bold, black, vertical stripes adorn its gray body.
A Note from the Caretaker
Hiding comes naturally to these fish—if you can’t spot them, look closely among the tentacles of the anemones.
Quick Facts
Learn more about the Banggai cardinalfish! Did you know that these fish hide among the spines of sea urchins for protection against predators?
The range of this cardinalfish is restricted to the Banggai Islands in Indonesia. It is common around jetties and over sandy bottoms with sea grasses.
The Banggai, along with most others in the cardinalfish family, feeds on plankton and small, bottom-dwelling crustaceans.
This species reaches about 3 inches in total length.
Banggai cardinalfish were introduced into the pet trade in the 1990s and are popular in home aquariums. Because of their restricted range and shallow habitat, they are in danger of exploitation and over-collection. Some experts fear this could lead to extinction.
Humans pose the biggest threat to Banggai cardinalfish, as the fish are popular among aquarium hobbyists. These fish also fall prey to several natural predators, especially as juveniles, when they are plucked from the spines of sea urchins by hungry passers-by.
Explore Exhibit Residents
Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one.
Anemones (Actiniaria)
Sea anemones are named after and resemble flowers.
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Atlantic puffins have a distinctive large, triangular red-orange bill with a blue-gray base and yellow ridge.
Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci)
The horn shark gets its name from the short venomous "horn" in front of each of its dorsal fins.
Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)
Learn about percula clownfish, including their habitat, diet, range and population status, and where you can find them at the National Aquarium.
Sea Stars (Asteroidea)
Sea stars are mostly carnivorous and prey on mollusks.