Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

Nectamia annularis

Nectamia annularis, also known as the tailring cardinalfish, is a marine fish belonging to the family Apogonidae or also called cardinalfishes.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
274 w
Citations
8
Source
Nectamia annularis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gobiiformes
Family: Apogonidae
Genus: Nectamia
Species:
N. annularis
Binomial name
Nectamia annularis
Rüppell, 1829 2
Synonyms

Apogon annularis Rüppell, 1829
Apogon erdmani Lachner, 1951

Nectamia annularis, also known as the tailring cardinalfish, is a marine fish belonging to the family Apogonidae or also called cardinalfishes.

Description

Tailring cardinalfish is a small sized fish which grows up to 7 cm.3 Its body has an elongate appearance, compressed laterally and with a round profile. It has two translucide dorsal fins, one lateral line, a large mouth and big round eyes.4 Its body coloration is silver grey with a black ring around the caudal peduncle.

Distribution & habitat

This species is found in tropical waters of the western part of the Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and also the Maldives.2 They are found in shallow water near coral reefs up to 17 metres (56 ft) depth.1

Feeding

Nectamia annularis is a zooplankton-eater.3

Behaviour

Tailring cardinalfish is a nocturnal species which when feeding, may be solitary or gather in small groups in shallow water above the coral reef. During daytime, they usually hide in reef crevices and caves.1

References

References

  1. Fricke, R. & Gon, O. (2017) [errata version of 2010 assessment]. "Nectamia annularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010 e.T155302A115298301. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155302A4770557.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Nectamia annularis". FishBase. June 2018 version.
  3. "Nectamia annularis Ringtail Cardinalfish". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  4. Lieske & Myers, Coral reef fishes, Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
External links