Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Kurtiformes (Order) > Apogonidae (Family) > Apogoninae (Subfamily) > Ostorhinchus (Genus)

Apogon à rayures noires, Black-striped cardinalfish, Blackstriped cardinalfish, Blackbanded soldierfish, Blackstripe cardinalfish, Gestreifter Kardinalfisch, Pesce cardinale, Minami-futosuji-ishimochi, ミナミフトスジイシモチ, 大目側仔, 黑帶天竺鯛,

Synonyme
Apogon nigrofasciatus (Lachner, 1953)

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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8; Pectoral fin rays: 14; Pelvic fin rays: I, 5; Pored lateral line scales: 24; Predorsal scales: 4; Circumpeduncular scales: 12; Total gill rakers: 24, developed gill rakers: 18; Snout pointed; Greatest depth of body: 2.6-3.1 in SL. Max. length: 10.0 cm TL; Common length: 7.0 cm SL. Depth range: 3 - 50 m.

 Body white in color. Alternating black and yellow stripes, dark stripes wider.

Etymology
Ostorhinchus: from Greek, osteon = bone + from Greek, rhynchos = beak. In reference to the bony jaws, very much advanced and jagged, which take the place of the teeth.
nigrofasciatus: from Latin, nigro = black + from Latin, fascio = I envelop with bands, swathe. Named nigrofasciatus by reason of the five horizontal black stripes.
Original description: Apogon nigrofasciatus Lachner, 1953 - Type locality: Yuro Island, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, western Pacific.

Distribution
 Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Madagascar east to Marshall Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, Queensland (Australia), Elizabeth Reef, New Caledonia, Tonga and Rapa.

Biology
Occurs on reef flats and shallow lagoon reef, usually seen singly or in pairs under ledges or in crevices. Feed on small benthic invertebrates at night. Mouthbrooders. Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning.