Cardinalfish
Apogon imberbis
Sighting evidence at Dome Cave, Kaş
Photo: Tim Cameron · © all rights reserved
The Mediterranean cardinalfish is a mouthbrooder: males carry fertilised eggs in the oral cavity for up to a month, fasting throughout. Schools of hundreds congregate in cave entrances and overhangs during the day, dispersing at night to feed on plankton. Their brilliant red colouration is thought to be camouflage in low-light cave environments where red wavelengths are absorbed first.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Cardinalfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.