Threadfin Cardinalfish

Zoramia leptacanthus

The Threadfin Cardinalfish is a small reef-associated fish that can be identified by its semi-transparent to whitish body adorned with blue spots and incomplete, narrow, orange bars on its head and anterior part of the body. It has a tall first dorsal fin and blue eyes. The species reaches a maximum length of 6.0 cm and is characterized by its compressed body shape. It can be distinguished from similar species by its unique coloration and the elongate first dorsal fin. This species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and Mozambique Island to Samoa and Tonga, extending north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia, including Micronesia. It inhabits shallow waters, typically between 1 and 12 meters deep, often forming dense aggregations above mounds of branching coral in sheltered, turbid bays and lagoons. The Threadfin Cardinalfish is nocturnal and exhibits monogamous pair bonding behavior, with distinct pairing during courtship and spawning. It is a mouthbrooder, meaning the male carries the fertilized eggs in his mouth until they hatch. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.