Common Name
Cardinal Soldierfish
Year Described
Guichenot, 1853
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XII, 13-14
Anal Fin: IV, 10-12
Pectoral Fin: 16-18
Lateral Line Scales: 32-36
Vertebrae: 26 (total)
Gill Rakers: 23-27
Body stout and robust with a large head and eye. Head with moderate to small spines around eye directed anteriorly basally; smaller and posteriorly dorsally Snout pointed with spines. Strong interorbital groove present. Strong spines and ridges on preopercle and opercle. Rear dorsal, anal, and caudal fins rounded. Last dorsal spine shorter than second to last spine. Tail relatively small compared to body. Scales obvious and rough.
Color
Body uniformly bright red, often with paler scale centers. Membranes of spiny dorsal fin red with clear tips. Second dorsal and anal fin membranes clear.
Size
Maximum size to 15cm SL
Habitat
Inhabits reefs and deep rocky areas from 2-240m where it lives deep in sheltered regions by day.
Range
South Florida to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Also Bermuda.
References
McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.