Weedy Cardinalfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: usually 8-12 pored lateral-line scales and 13-15 gill rakers and rudiments; body scales margins uniform to pale edging; body mottled brownish with 5 darker irregular bars, the first anterior to origin of first dorsal fin, the second bar from posterior half of first dorsal fin through posterior half of pelvic fin, the third narrow bar between soft dorsal and soft anal fins, the fourth on caudal peduncle, and the fifth at base of caudal fin; axil of pectoral fin with a whitish spot; 3 whitish basicaudal spots partially in darkish basicaudal bar; whitish spot behind posterior base of soft dorsal fin; second dorsal fin, anal fin and caudal fin pale with darkish banding (Ref. 93673).

Are mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24

Nocturnal species; occurs inshore (Ref. 7300). Enters estuaries and quiet coastal bays, usually on mud or silty substrate with algae-rock outcrops or isolated soft corals (Ref. 48635). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).

分布於印度-太平洋區。台灣分布於澎湖海域及高雄。

無任何經濟價值。

體小型，橢圓而側扁；體高，標準體長為其2.2-2.5倍；側線不完全，僅延伸至第一背鰭基底後下方。犁骨齒2-3列，腭骨齒3列。D. VII(I)-I，9；A. II，8； P. 10； Ll. 8-12； GR. 13-15。體呈灰褐至淡褐色，鱗片上具暗色斑駁；體側無垂直橫帶，或幼魚具３保垂直暗橫帶；鰓蓋上無眼斑；眼眶周圍亦無放射線。第一背鰭和腹鰭色暗，其它各鰭色淡或散有斑點；第一背鰭鰭膜上緣具白色斑。過去Chen(2004)所紀錄之/Foa brachygramma/實為本種之誤鑑。

主要棲息於藻床或淺水域的碎石堆。

Foa fo is a species of cardinalfish of the genus Foa. Its common names include Samoan Cardinalfish, Weedy cardinalfish, and Samoan Fo.