Belted cardinalfish
Apogon townsendi
(Breder, 1927)
Description:
Body elongated, with big eyes. Body orangish red, with a dark bar from the rear dorsal fin to the anal fin and two bars at the base of the tail, the area between the bars may be darker, forming one wide bar with darker borders (A. townsendi).
Size up to 6.5 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabits coral and rocky areas, often near drop-offs, but down to 55 m. Solitary or in groups in caves or holes. Often seen hovering in the spines of the long-spined urchin (Diadema antillarum).
Distribution:
Common South Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.