Indian Ocean twospot cardinalfish, Twospot cardinalfish

Synoyme
Apogon novemstriatus - (Rüppell, 1838)
Cheilodipterus bipunctatus - (Lachner, 1951)
Paramia bipunctata - (Lachner, 1951)

Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.

Short description
Color in life silvery gray with 4 black stripes. 5th stripe runs along anal-fin base, continues anteriorly to pelvic-fin base, at which point it curves upward to reach in front of pectoral-fin base. The part of this stripe anterior to anal-fin base is often indistinct. A black oval spot at middle of caudal peduncle encircled by a yellow area. A distinct black spot on dorsal surface of caudal peduncle. Area between yellow pigment and this spot appears as distinct white mark. Fins pale. Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 10 m. Max length : 8.0 cm.

Biology
Common in shallow protected water, sheltering among the spines of Diadema sea-urchins in groups of up to about 30 individuals (number depends on the size of the urchin and the length of the fish).