Apogon aurolineatus

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ApogonidaeApogon
aurolineatus
(Mowbray)1927Bridle Cardinalfish

Apogon aurolineatus

Unique Characters:  Body unmarked. Scales on body ctenoid. Median predorsal scales present;. Posterior margin of preopercle serrate. Pectoral-fin soft rays 11 or 12 (rarely 13). Membraneous ventral preopercular flap not extending beyond posterior preopercle edge. Inner pelvic-fin ray mostly free from body. Segmented anal-fin rays 8; no large caniniform teeth; teeth in both jaws villiform. Body scales and lateral-line scales of similar size; predorsal scales 3 to 8 (rarely 2); scales around caudal peduncle 8 to 20.

Similar Species:

Flamefish
Apogon maculatus

Flamefish Apogon maculatusDark pupil-size spot below posterior part of second dorsal-fin base; dusky to dark spot or stripe on opercle at level of middle of eye. Large dark caudal saddle, extending ventrally well below lateral line. Two white stripes through eye. Scales on body ctenoid. Median predorsal scales present;. Posterior margin of preopercle serrate. Pectoral-fin soft rays 11 or 12 (rarely 13). Membraneous ventral preopercular flap not extending beyond posterior preopercle edge. Inner pelvic-fin ray mostly free from body. Segmented anal-fin rays 8. No large caniniform teeth; teeth in both jaws villiform, in a polyserial band of varying width. Scales around caudal peduncle 17-20.

Deepwater Cardinalfish
Apogon gouldi

Deepwater Cardinalfish Apogon gouldiDark bar/saddle below second dorsal-fin base or just behind it; no dark spot or stripe on opercle. Scales on body ctenoid. Median predorsal scales present;. Posterior margin of preopercle serrate. Pectoral-fin soft rays 11 or 12 (rarely 13). Membraneous ventral preopercular flap not extending beyond posterior preopercle edge. Inner pelvic-fin ray mostly free from body. Segmented anal-fin rays 8. No large caniniform teeth; teeth in both jaws villiform, in a polyserial band of varying width.

Twospot Cardinalfish
Apogon pseudomaculatus

Apogon pseudomaculatus
Twospot Cardinalfish – Apogon pseudomaculatus

Twospot Cardinalfish Apogon pseudomaculatus Dark pupil-size spot below posterior part of second dorsal-fin base; dusky to dark spot or stripe on opercle at level of middle of eye. Dark caudal spot about pupil-size, placed mostly above lateral line. Two white stripes above and below pupil. Scales on body ctenoid. Median predorsal scales present;. Posterior margin of preopercle serrate. Pectoral-fin soft rays 11 or 12 (rarely 13). Membraneous ventral preopercular flap not extending beyond posterior preopercle edge. Inner pelvic-fin ray mostly free from body. Segmented anal-fin rays 8. No large caniniform teeth; teeth in both jaws villiform, in a polyserial band of varying width. Scales around caudal