Nine Banded Cardinalfish

Characterized by alternating dark brown and whitish stripes, dark stripes narrower than pale ones; dark midlateral stripe extending onto caudal fin; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

Nocturnal species (Ref. 75154) which inhabits caves or other projections in coral reefs (Ref. 9137).

Common in reef flats and shallow lagoons to a depth of about 4 m. Also found in rocky reefs (Ref. 93839). Feeds on small crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 1602). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Usually in pairs swimming close to shelter (Ref. 48635).

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起東印度洋的聖誕島，則東至萊恩群島，北至台灣、日本，南迄大堡礁及薩摩亞等。台灣分布於南部、小琉球及綠島等。

無任何經濟價值。

體長圓而側扁。頭大。吻長。眼大。D. VII-I，9；A. II，8；P. 13；C. 3-4，9+8，3-4；Pred.S. 4；GR. 2，12+1+3；HL. 2.4 -2.7；BD. 2.8-3.0 in SL；SnL. 3.4-4.2；ED. 3.2-3.3 in HL。體側有五條縱走的暗色至黑色水平帶，中央三條明顯可見，自吻端延伸到尾鰭，最中央之縱帶甚至延伸至尾叉處，而中央上下兩條在尾柄後急速向中央彎曲。除此之外，最中央之縱帶明顯較其上下兩條為寬，且暗色縱帶略寬或等於體側白色縱斑。

主要棲息於淺潟湖礁區或沿岸礁盤區。通常成對生活，以小型甲殼類及魚類為食。