Marine Life

Headstripe cardinalfish

Hima boadhi

Rhabdamia cypselura

Rhabdamia cypselura is a frequently-used bait favoured by Maldivian tuna fishermen, who typically catch it by placing a baitnet over their coral retreat, chasing the fish out, and lifting the net when they return; however, this method can cause considerable damage to the corals.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 4 cm; max. 7 cm
color: Transparent with a fine red stippling dorsally on body; a short black stripe on side of snout and a faint one behind eye; a dusky sub-marginal band in each caudal fin lobe.
order: Perciformes
family: Apogonidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/rhabdamia-cypselura.png
habitat and biology: Cardinals are typically observed in large groups with other cardinal fish in sheltered reefs. They often form schools in caves.
distinctive characters: The first dorsal fin has six spines, the second dorsal fin has one spine and nine rays, the anal fin has two spines and nine rays, the pectoral fin has thirteen rays, and the body depth is 3.7 in standard length. Additionally, it is more elongated and less elevated than most of the other species occurring in the Maldives, with a maxillary that extends to below the middle of the eye. The preopercle ridge and margin are smooth, and the pelvic fin is about half the length of the head.