Description:

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

Moderately slender-bodied cardinalfish, with large eyes and mouth. Large canine-like teeth; preopercular margin serrated. Caudal peduncle long and relatively broad. 
Caudal fin proportionally large and emarginate. 

Colour. Eight red-brown stripes run length of body, from snout to caudal peduncle, separated by much thinner, off white interspaces. Caudal fin base is whitish and the 
fin itself has dark upper and lower margins. Juveniles have a large black blotch on the caudal peduncle which fades with age.

Maturity: 8 - ?cm TL. Max length : 25.0 cm TL.

Commonly observed on outer reef slopes; in caves and ledges of clear lagoon and seaward reefs (depth 1-40m, usually 4-30m). Adults usually in pairs or small 
groups comprising several pairs; juveniles solitary or small groups. Feeds primarily on small fishes. Sexual maturity reached at about 8 cm. Mouthbrooders. Distinct 
pairing during courtship and spawning. 
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. 

Photo (c) 2021 and courtesy Guido Carrara. Photo taken off Anse Possession, Praslin. 

Allen, G. et al (2015). Cheilodipterus macrodon. The IUCN Red List 2015: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/193381/56991044 (31/10/21).
McGrouther, M. (2019). Tiger Cardinalfish, Cheilodipterus macrodon (Lacépède, 1802). Australian Museum. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/tiger-cardinalfish-cheilodipterus-macrodon/ (31/10/21). 
 

Nevill, J.E.G. & Carrara, G. (2021). Cheilodipterus macrodon, Large toothed cardinalfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cheilodipterus-macrodon-lacepede-1802/