Description:

Dorsal spines: 7; Dorsal rays: 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 8.

Small cardinalfish with large eyes. Ventral section of preopercle poorly ossified with undulate edge; vertical edge usually serrate with small spinules at 
angle.

Colour. Semi-transparent pinkish body with 3 dark reddish-brown stripes. Broad stripe from the snout through the eye and the pectoral-fin base to the base 
of the anal fin. Broad stripe from the nape to the middle of the caudal fin. Third stripe dorsal and thinner dorsally below front 2/3rds of dorsal fin.

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 7.5 cm TL.  
 

Inhabits inshore rocy and rubble reefs (depth 5-30 m). Solitary and cryptic, hides under ledges and rocks. Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning.
Exhibits mouthbrooding.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery. 
 

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

Apogon semiornatus in Fishes of Australia. https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1607 (08/09/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/8008 (08/09/22). 
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Apogon semiornatus, Oblique-banded cardinalfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/apogon-semiornatus-peters-1876/