APOGONIDAE


Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus, 5.5 cm SL
(photo by Richard Wintterbottom)



Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus, 9.6 cm SL
(from North Sulawesi, Indonesia; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
Cuvier, 1828
Five-lined Cardinalfish

D VI+I, 9; A II, 8; P1 12-13; LL 26-28.

Body relatively elongate, compressed; lateral line well developed, extending posteriorly to caudal-fin base. Snout moderately pointed. Posterior margin of preopercle serrated (maybe near smooth in large specimen). Some enlarged, fang-like canines on jaws, but canines absent around lower-jaw symphysis. Base of anal fin subequal to base of second dorsal fin in length; caudal fin emarginate. Color: body with 4-5 broad dusky longitudinal stripes (distinctly narrower than paler interspaces); a small black spot (smaller than pupil) encircled by yellow at caudal-fin base; anterodorsal part of first dorsal fin tinged with black. Size: 10 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs.