APOGONIDAE


Fowleria variegata, 4.4 cm SL
(photo by Richard Wintterbottom)


Fowleria variegata
(Valenciennes, 1832)
Variegated Cardinalfish

D VII, 9; A II, 8; P1 12-14; LLp 23.

Body oblong, moderately deep and compressed; lateral line reduced, extending posteriorly to midbody. Snout moderately pointed. Posterior margin of preopercle smooth. No enlarged caninoid teeth on jaws; no teeth on palatine. Base of anal fin subequal to base of second dorsal fin in length; caudal fin rounded. Color: head and body brown or pale yellow, mottled with numerous dense dark brown blotches; a distinct ocellated black spot at operculum; fins with numerous dusky blotches or irregular bands, except for pectoral fin subtranslucent. Size: 7 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: inhabits coral and rocky reefs and mangroves.