Ostorhinchus luteus (Randall & Kulbicki, 1998)
Yellow cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus luteus
photo by DAWR, Guam

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  4.42 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 49 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Philippines to the Marshall Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 24-24. Predorsal scales 4; preopercular edge serrate; preopercular ridge smooth to slightly crenulate; body depth 2.9-3.3 in SL; yellow with six narrow blue stripes on head, the two upper stripes usually continue faintly as broader purplish stripes on body; a blue-edged yellow stripe basally in second dorsal and anal fins; dorsal profile of head slightly convex (Ref. 33415).
Biology:  Inhabits sheltered clearwater areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. Aggregates under ledges, in holes, or even among spines of sea urchins. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans and small invertebrates by day and night (Ref. 37816).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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