Zoramia fragilis (Smith 1961)

Semi-transparent to whitish, silvery on sides; blue spots may be present on operculum and behind pectoral fins; black spot at base of caudal fin (Ref. 2334).

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

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10

Occurs in sheltered lagoons and bays, above branching corals and among reef crevices. Forms large schools, often with other species (Ref. 1602, 2334, 37816). Nocturnal (Ref. 7300).

aquarium: public aquariums

Apogon fragilis Smith

Apogon fragilis Smith, 1961:385–386, pl. 46: fig. H [type-locality: Pinda Reef, Mozambique].

DIAGNOSIS.—A small, rounded, basicaudal spot, rest of body and fins pale, only occasionally with some scattered melanophores on caudal peduncle; second dorsal spine not produced as a filament, not more than 22% of standard length.

DESCRIPTION.—Important morphometric and meristic data are treated in Tables 4–6. For general shape and pigment pattern see Figure 19. Proportions (as percent standard length): body depth 30–43; head length 37–41; eye length 13–14; snout length 9–10; bony interorbital width 8–9; upper jaw length 16–19; caudal peduncle depth 15–17; caudal peduncle length 21–25; dorsal spine lengths—first 9–12, second 19–22, third 18–21, fourth 13–17, spine in second dorsal 14–16; anal spine lengths—first 2–4, second 12–15; pectoral fin length 25–29; pelvic fin length 20–23.

Second dorsal fin I, 9; 2 anal spines; pectoral fin 14; pelvic fin I, 5; well-developed gillrakers 23–28 (4–7 + 19–24) including rudiments 24–30 (1–2 + 4–7; 19–24 + 0–2); pored lateral-line scales 24; transverse scale rows haye the lateral line 2; median predorsal scales 6; circumpeduncular scales 12 (5 + 2 + 5).

COLOR OF PRESERVED SPECIMENS.—The dark, circular, discrete basicaudal spot, about the size of that in A. gilberti, is the only prominent color mark on this species. A faint dusky mark from snout to eye; some scattereed melanophores on trunk, absent on belly; outer portion of membrane between second and third dorsal spines dusky; body otherwise mostly pale and the fins transparent to only slightly dusky.

COLOR IN LIFE.—This species is illustrated in color from a color transparency by Burgess and Axelrod (1975:1442, fig. 92; 1976, fig. 37).

LIFE HISTORY.—Twenty-six specimens of unknown sex were observed to have eggs in their mouths: USNM 183781, 31 mm SL, June, from Luzon; USNM 205774, 7 (36–77 mm), April, from Palawan Island; USNM 205845, 12 (34–39 mm), September, from Jolo Island, Philippines; USNM 211315, 6 (30–33 mm), December, from Bouru Island, Philippines. Specimens with buccal development but lacking eggs in the mouth: USNM 211840, 3 (31–34), May from Madang Harbor, New Guinea. A gravid female, GVF 1826, 34.9 mm SL, with typical body coloration had no buccal enlargement.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—Occurs from the African coast eastward to the Samoan Islands (Figure 20). This species is peculiarly absent in the northern and central insular Indian Ocean.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—4333 specimens in 79 collections, ranging from 13–43 mm SL.

Holotype: RUSI 357, 34.1, Mozambique, Pinda Reef, Jul 1950.

Paratypes: RUSI 3078, 2 (37, 39), Mozambique, Pinda Reef, 18 Jul 1950, RUSI 3077 (34), Seychelles, Mahé I., 9 Sep 1954. RUSI 3079, 7 (37–41), Mozambique, Pinda Reef, Jul 1950. RUSI 3080, 36 (24–42), specific data lost, East Africa to Seychelles.

Other Material: MADAGASCAR: USNM 211839, 9 (26–33), Nossi Bé. MOLUCCAS: USNM 210520, 7 (18–36); USNM 210419, ∼400 +(18–40); both from Ambon, Poka. INDONESIA: USNM 213073, 49 (35–41), Karimundjawa Is. BORNEO: USNM 22569, 179 (17–37), Darvel Bay. CELEBES (Sulawesi): USNM 183779, 7 (29–37), Pendek I. USNM 183763, 2 (33, 35), Togian I., Togian Bay. USNM 183750 (A. 13298, 24052–53), 3 (34–35), Gomumu I. USNM 211315, 30 (29–38), Bouru I., Tifu Bay. USNM 211317 (43), Bouru I., Tifu Bay. PHILIPPINES: USNM 183775 (30), San Miguel I., Tabaco Bay. USNM 183780, 5 (35–39), Palawan I., Bolalo Bay. USNM 183781, 4 (31–39); USNM 211849, 3 (24–27); both Luzon, near Palag Bay. USNM 183776, 11 (26–36): USNM 183745 (A. 122, 123, 129, 24074), 4 (27–34); USNM 183754 (A. 19127) (34); all Endeavour Strait. USNM 211844 (36); USNM 183765 (A. 472–474), 3 (37–38); both Romblon I. USNM 183768 (28), Palawan I., N Endeavour Strait. USNM 183753 (A. 18512) (39), Butauanan I., E coast Luzon. USNM 183755 (A. 21970) (33), Mindanao, Murcielagos Bay. USNM 183760 (A. 23712) (39), Burias I., Busin Harbor. USNM 183770 (38), Batan I., Caracaran Bay. USNM 205844, 38 (25–37), Palawan I., Makesi I. USNM 183738, 100+ (22–37), Luzon, Pt. Jamelo. USNM 183735, 200+ (29–35); USNM 211846 (A. 16538, 16541), 2 (31, 35); both Luzon I., Port Matalvi. USNM 211845 (A. 6646–47), 2 (37, 38): USNM 205845, 37 (29–39); both Jolo I., Tutu Bay. USNM 183736, 33 (24–38), Luzon I., Saboon I., Ragay Bay. USNM 205774, 51 (29–40), Palawan I., Rasa I. USNM 205846, 35 (29–35), Pt. Uson, Pinas I. USNM 211847 (A. 8281–91, 17780), 12 (28–38), E coast Luzon, San Miguel I., Tobaco Bay. USNM 211848, 24 (25–37), Tonquil I., E of Gumila Reef, NEW GUINEA: USNM 211840, 27 (24–35); AMS 1.17089-026, 7 (30–33); both Madang Harbor, bay in Krankett I. USNM 211841, ∼700 (28–42), Madang Harbor, inside S tip Paeowai I. USNM 211842, 5 (14–25); AMS I.17087-009, 39 (33–40); both Madang. AMS 1.17262-017 (35), Port Morseby, Manubada I. AUSTRALIA: ANSP 123368, 3 (34–40); ANSP sta TSA-5, 5(18–21); ANSP sta TSA-3, 600+ (20–28); all from Queensland, Endeavour Reef. BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO: USNM 211843 (29), Nissan Group, Pinipel I. USNM 207068 (20), Nissan I. SOLOMON ISLANDS: BPBM 15627, 11 (30–35), Malaita I. on Alite Reef. BPBM 15684 (25), Guadalcanal I. at Honiara. NEW HEBRIDES (Vanuatu): GVF 1826, 87 (24–36), Espiritu Santo I. PALAU ISLANDS (Belau): GVF 1390, ∼800 (27–34); GVF 602, 8 (20–35): GVF 546, ∼100 (25–38); all Auluptagel I. GVF 1853, 4 (32–34), Arakabesan I. GVF 526, 54 (25–40); GVF 610 (31); GVF 1870 (34); GVF 1979, 2 (29, 33); GVF 1993, 77 (24–39); BPBM 8071, 35 (26–37); all Urukthapel I. GVF 1408, 11 (13–26); GVF 754, 3 (26–27); both from Iwayama Bay. GVF 1434, 34 (20–33), Malakal I. CAROLINE ISLANDS: GVF 317, ∼400 (28–38); GVF 315, 9 (24–31); GVF 470 (23); all Kapingamarangi Atoll. GVF 1903, 12 (19–29); GVF 1904, 7 (19–32); GVF 1917 (28); GVF 1918 (30); all Yap. I. MARSHALL ISLANDS: BPBM 9699, 4 (26–30), Majuro Atoll in lagoon, GILBERT ISLANDS (Kiribati Republic): AMS D.F. Hoese sta 73-32 (34), Abaiang Atoll.

Zoramia fragilis is a Cardinalfish from the Indo-West Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 5.5 cm in length.