Blackbelt Cardinalfish

A brown band from tip of snout and chin to eye. A narrow black girdle encircles caudal peduncle at base of caudal, darkest at the point where it crosses the lateral line. A broad, dusky, black band across anterior dorsal spines; a subanal black band on second dorsal and anal, the black band confined to the membranes; rest of the fins hyaline (Ref. 11356).

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

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

On open substrate, schooling with large coral heads during the day. Usually trawled inshore on soft bottom (Ref. 48635).