---
title: Iridescent Cardinalfish (Pristiapogon kallopterus)
scientific_name: Pristiapogon kallopterus
common_name: Iridescent Cardinalfish
taxon: Cardinals
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-11-08T21:04:47.047Z
updated: 2025-11-25T13:58:09.000Z
tags: Iridescent Cardinalfish, Pristiapogon kallopterus, Cardinals, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cardinals/iridescent-cardinalfish
---

# Iridescent Cardinalfish (*Pristiapogon kallopterus*)

**Taxon:** Cardinals (*Apogonidae*)  
**Conservation Status:** LC - Least Concern  


The Iridescent Cardinalfish (Pristiapogon kallopterus) is a species prevalent in tropical marine and estuarine environments closely associated with reef ecosystems. It inhabits depths ranging from 3 to 158 meters and can reach a maximum length of 15.5 cm. Its habitat includes clear water lagoon patch reefs and seaward reefs, particularly from the lower surge zone to a depth of 45 meters. The species is benthopelagic and typically solitary, primarily feeding at night on small benthic and free-swimming crustaceans. Reproduction involves mouthbrooding, with distinct pairing observed during courtship and spawning.

The Iridescent Cardinalfish is characterized by its tan to light red-brown coloration, with dusky margins on the scales. It features a prominent brown mid-lateral stripe extending from the snout tip through the eye to the upper caudal base, although this stripe may diminish in intensity on the peduncle. Other distinguishing features include a black spot at the base of the caudal fin, a relatively broad midlateral dark stripe, a yellow anterior margin on the dorsal fin, and green to blue iridescent shades visible under nocturnal lighting. Juveniles exhibit a yellowish head and belly.

Geographically, the species is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea southward to Algoa Bay in South Africa, and extending eastward to the Line, Marquesan, and Pitcairn islands. Its range also includes northern areas up to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, as well as southern locales such as New Zealand and Rapa.

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cardinals/iridescent-cardinalfish)*
*Updated: November 25, 2025*