Banda Cardinalfish

Characterized by having dorsal fin rays VII-I, 9; anal fin rays II,8; pectoral fin rays 13; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 24; predorsal scales 3-4; circumpeduncular scales 12 (Ref. 93839); color is coppery or silvery with saddle or bar across the caudal peduncle and a wedge-shaped bar below the eye. Similar to A. fuscus but usually has fewer gill rakers (25-27 versus 28-30). Leading edge of ventral fin clearly pale-blue (Ref. 48635); characterized further by grey caudal peduncle with broad dark bar at base; pale grey at night; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).

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

Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534).

Occur in outer reef slopes generally at depths below 30 m (Ref. 1602). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起摩鹿加、菲律賓，東至薩摩亞，北至台灣、日本，南迄澳洲大堡礁。台灣分布於南部及澎湖等海域。

通常以下雜魚處理，用作魚飼料，有時會曬成小魚乾自家食用，並無任何經濟價值。

體長圓而側扁。頭大。吻長。眼大。D. VII-I，9；A. II，8； P. 13；GR. 25-27；Ll. 28。體一致呈棕銅色，或呈銀色而在尾柄上另具一鞍狀或帶狀斑；眼下方另具一斜向之楔形斑。腹鰭前緣呈清晰之淡藍色。/Apogon bandanensis/為其同種異名。

主要棲息於礁坡外緣，通常在水下30公尺處。夜行性，白天停留在岩礁下方或洞穴內，晚上則外出覓食多毛類以及其它小型底棲無脊椎動物。