THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

144 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
release milt over the eggs, which may number
more than 100,000.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: ~ 7 years. An
important food source for top predators such
as walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Gulls
and diving ducks take juveniles.
Remarks: Overwinters in deep water (often
with a protective covering of ice as suggested
in the Water Planet exhibit), then moves to
shallower water in spring to spawn.
A popular game fish prized for its flavor.
The spread of lampreys into the Great Lakes
and beyond during the first half of the 20th
century severely impacted yellow perch
populations as well as those of many other
important game and commercial fish species.
Yellowstriped Cardinalfish
Apogon cyanosoma (Apogonidae)
Cardinalfishes
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Common from
Australia to the Red Sea.
Habitat: Inhabits sheltered clear water areas of
lagoon and seaward reefs. Associates in small
to large aggregations under ledges, in holes, or
even among long spines of sea urchins.
Appearance: Silver body highlighted with
6 orange-gold horizontal stripes. Pinkish to
orange spot on base of caudal fin. Max. length:
8 cm.
Diet: Planktonic crustaceans and small
invertebrates.
Reproduction and Development: Like all
cardinalfishes, a paternal mouthbrooder. Has
reproduced in captivity.
Remarks: Like all cardinalfishes, active at
night, with large eyes adapted to gathering
low light.
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Apogon leptacanthus (Apogonidae)
Cardinalfishes
Distribution: Red Sea to Samoa, north to
Ryukyu, Japan, south to New Caledonia and
east to Tonga.
Habitat: Assemble in huge groups at 1–20 m
depth in sheltered lagoons, protected reefs and
embayments among branching corals.
Appearance: Length to 6 cm. Whitish,
translucent with frosty iridescence on back;
iris is luminous blue. Yellow-edged blue bands
and bars on rear of head and front of body.
Long first dorsal fin tip.
Diet: Nocturnally feeds on benthic crustaceans.
Reproduction and Development: Mouth
brooders; pair for courtship and spawning.
Flame Cardinalfish
Apogon maculatus (Apogonidae)
Cardinalfishes
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Canada to
Massachusetts, Bermuda, Bahamas, Gulf of
Mexico to Brazil.
Habitat: Coral reefs: also in other areas with
protective cracks and crevices. Often hovers
near and in holes.
Appearance: Aptly named for notable
orangish/red color. Black spot under second
dorsal fin. Black eyes bordered top and bottom
with white stripes. Length to 11 cm.
Diet: Nocturnal predator on small benthic and
planktonic invertebrates.
Reproduction and Development: Spawning
may occur throughout the year with pairs
forming and exhibiting complex courtship
behaviors. Mouthbrooders, like all cardinalfish.
Male does not eat for several weeks while
carrying eggs and fry.
Remarks: Popular in the aquarium trade, but
rarely seen during the day at the Steinhart. Check
the darker crevices or come after 5:00 p.m.!
Redspot Cardinalfish
Apogon parvulus (Apogonidae)
Cardinalfishes
Distribution: Western Pacific: Japan to
Indonesia.
Habitat: Around rocky reefs, especially in
current-prone areas.
Appearance: Semi-transparent with distinctive
large, red peduncular spot when adult. Max.
length: 4 cm.
Diet: Microplantkton.
Reproduction and Development: Distinct
paring during courtship and spawning; males
are mouthbrooders.
Remarks: This species commonly forms large
mid-water aggregations.
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Apogon sealei (Apogonidae)
Cardinalfishes