Cercamia melanogaster is your newest described cardinalfish

by | Apr 14, 2015 | Advanced Aquarist | 0 comments


Cercamia melanogaster is your newest described cardinalfish


The Blackbelly Cardinalfish (M.V. Erdmann)

Cercamia melanogaster is described from West Papua, Indonesia from a “dark crevice on a near-vertical wall at a depth of about 15m.”  Like most cardinalfish, C.melanogaster appears to be nocturnal, emerging from the crevices at dusk.  This is a tiny species whose total length is barely above one inch (3cm).  Melanogaster means “black stomach” – a perfect nomenclature for this new cardinalfish.

If not for its nocturnal behavior, C.melanogaster would make for a very nice nano fish.  It is also likely very easy to breed in captivity like most Apogonids.

Gerald R Allen, Mark V Erdmann, and Angka Mahardini describes Cercamia melanogaster in the latest issue of Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

melanogaster2.jpg

  • Leonard Ho

    I'm a passionate aquarist of over 30 years, a coral reef lover, and the blog editor for Advanced Aquarist. While aquarium gadgets interest me, it's really livestock (especially fish), artistry of aquariums, and "method behind the madness" processes that captivate my attention.

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