Ninestripe Cardinal

Characterized by having dorsal fin rays VII-I, 9; anal fin rays II,8; pectoral fin rays 14; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 24; predorsal scales 3-4; circumpeduncular scales 12 (Ref. 93839); Whitish with 5-6 black stripes (Ref. 2334). Secondary dark line extends backwards as far as the first dorsal fin, in large specimens (Ref. 37816). Absence of dark spot on caudal fin base; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.0 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 which occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Exhibits the black gut phenomenon. In nocturnal predators, it appears to serve to conceal bioluminiscent prey in the stomach cavity (Ref. 46685).

Occurs inshore (Ref. 7300). Found in holes or ledges of outer reef flats in areas exposed to surge (Ref. 1602), to depths of about 10 m (Ref. 48635). Nocturnal (Ref. 7300).

aquarium: commercial

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起紅海至非洲南部，東至萊恩及Pitcairn群島等，北至台灣、日本，南迄澳洲及拉帕等。台灣分布於南部、東北部及小琉球等海域。

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. 14；Pred.S. 3；Ll. 24；Tr. 2/6；GR. (3)2+1+(3)； HL. 2.80；BD. 3.05 in SL；ED. 2.77；SnL. 6.19；IS. 5.07 all in HL。體側有五條水平黃褐色狹帶，第一條自頭部頂端到第二背鰭基底；第二條自吻部開始到尾柄彎向尾鰭中央；第四條到尾柄處亦彎向尾鰭中央；腹部，即第五條自下顎頂端延至臀鰭最後一支軟條基底；另外在第二、三條中間，自眼上緣到第一背鰭下方有一條較短的狹帶。尾柄無任何圓點。第二背鰭和臀鰭各有一條黑線平行其基底。本種體側狹帶的形式和/A. cookii/極相似，然根據Fraser(1974)的區別方法在於/A. cookii/有尾柄圓形點。

主要棲息於礁石區。群居性，以浮游動物或其它底棲無脊椎動物為食。