Banda Cardinalfish

Nectamia bandanensis

The Banda Cardinalfish is a small fish commonly associated with reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific. Its range includes the Moluccas and Philippines, stretching to Samoa and Tonga, and it can be found as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and as far south as the southern Great Barrier Reef. This species typically inhabits depths between 1 and 34 meters, with a preference for shallower waters up to 12 meters. Divers may spot these fish on outer reef slopes, where they often appear alone or in small groups. Identifying the Banda Cardinalfish is made easier by its coppery or silvery body, marked by a notable dark bar across the tail base and a wedge-shaped mark below the eye. It has a compressed body shape and grows up to 10 cm in length. Its dorsal fin consists of 8 spines and 9 soft rays, while the anal fin comprises 2 spines and 8 soft rays. Compared to similar species like A. fuscus, the Banda Cardinalfish generally has fewer gill rakers. This nocturnal species engages in mouthbrooding, with pairs forming during mating and spawning activities. The Banda Cardinalfish is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.