Cardinalfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: dorsal fin rays VI-I, 9; anal fin rays II, 8; pectoral fin rays 15; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 35; predorsal scales 5-6; circumpeduncular scales 12; total gill rakers 11, developed gill rakers 8 (Ref. 093839); body translucent when fresh; sides and ventral part of head light golden to silvery iridescent; head and body with large brown spots with golden dot on the center; dusky peritoneum with numerous black dots. Anterior nostril with long, darkly pigmented membranous flap. Dorsal part of caudal fin sometimes with an indistinct dark spot. 39-43 scales in longitudinal series. This species has fewer gill rakers and anal fin rays than P. amblyuroptera (Ref. 37816).

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

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24

Inhabits protected bays and lagoon reefs. Lives deep in coral thickets, thus is seldom seen by day (mainly nocturnal). Solitary (Ref 90102).

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起紅海及東非，東至法屬玻利尼西亞，北至台灣、日本，南迄澳洲。台灣分布於南部、北部、蘭嶼及澎湖等海域。

無任何經濟價值。

體延長。前鰓蓋骨邊緣平滑。前鼻孔之瓣膜長。有犬齒和絨毛狀齒，上頜骨延伸至眼後。尾鰭尖形。體小圓鱗，易脫落；側線不完全。D. VI-I，8；A. II，8；P. 15-17；GR. (2)1+1+6+(5)；Ll. 35-36；HL. 2.54-2.91；BD. 4.12-4.68 in SL；ED. 4.01-4.18；SnL. 4.16-4.38；IS. 4.10-4.34 all in HL。體淡黃褐色，體側有狹長縱列之暗褐色細點；頭部亦有大小不同細點分布，有的較體側為大；前鼻孔辦膜有黑色素。第二背鰭、臀鰭及尾鰭略呈黑色，至邊緣而變淡；尾鰭上葉有時具有與眼徑同大之黑斑，或擴散延伸至末緣。

主要棲息於受保護的海灣或潟湖內之珊瑚礁區。以浮游動物或其它底棲無脊椎動物為食。

Inhabits protected bays and lagoon reefs. Lives deep in coral thickets, thus is seldom seen by day (mainly nocturnal). Size 3.75 cm .