Common Name: Capricorn Cardinalfish

Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Recorded from the Capricorn Group off Central Queensland. Also found in the Coral Sea (Chesterfield Islands), Lord Howe Island and as far south as Sydney.

Ecological Notes: Found in caves and crevices emerging at dusk to feed. Seen individually or in small groups. Feeds on zooplankton and small benthic invertebrates. Depth range uncertain but early specimens collected in 3 – 15 m. This photograph taken in 23 m.

Additional Notes: The black spot, slightly smaller than the pupil, is centred on the caudal fin base. Bright blue lines adorn the head, the lower of the two extending to the rear of the opercle. Grows to 8 cm.

References: R. Stuart-Smith, G. Edgar, A. Green, I. Shaw, Tropical Marine Fishes of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, 2015. p.119.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=apogon+capricornis. Accessed 24/04/18.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://fishbase.ca/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=46519&genusname=Ostorhi… 24/04/18.