Sangi Cardinalfish

Fibramia thermalis

The Sangi Cardinalfish, a member of the family Apogonidae, is typically found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, ranging from South Africa's Natal region to the western Pacific. Divers can spot this species in deep coastal reefs or among rocks and corals in shallow sheltered lagoons, often in seagrass beds. It is a nocturnal fish, forming small schools around reef outcrops on sandy bottoms up to 20 meters deep, though they are usually found between 0 and 12 meters. The Sangi Cardinalfish can be identified by its elongated, compressed body, a black stripe running from the snout through the eye to the opercle, and a caudal spot. Some individuals may display yellow barring on their sides, along with 2-3 tiny black spots along the base of the dorsal fin. Males can reach a maximum length of 8.5 cm. This species is known for its mouthbrooding behavior, with distinct pairing during courtship and spawning. The Sangi Cardinalfish is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.