Orbiculate Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis): facts, sounds & photos

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Orbiculate Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis) lives in coastal areas across Indo-Pacific. It feeds on planktonic crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.

Fascinating facts about the Orbiculate Cardinalfish

At about 10 cm long, the orbiculate cardinalfish has a bold, dark waistband and polka-dot tail that stand out on reef shadows.
Male orbiculate cardinalfish take on the sole parenting role, guarding the egg clutch until the larvae hatch. Their dedication flips the usual fish-sex script and shows how diverse reproductive strategies can be even among tiny reef dwellers.
Their range stretches from the coasts of East Africa across the Pacific to the Ryukyu Islands, New Caledonia, Belau and the Mariana Islands, linking distant reefs with a single species. This wide distribution highlights how a modest fish can bridge ecosystems thousands of kilometres apart.

At a glance

RangeIndo-Pacific

Habitatcoastal areas

Dietplanktonic crustaceans

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