---
title: Marbled Cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata)
scientific_name: Fowleria marmorata
common_name: Marbled Cardinalfish
taxon: Cardinals
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-11-08T16:35:01.240Z
updated: 2026-08-07T21:07:37.449Z
tags: Marbled Cardinalfish, Fowleria marmorata, Cardinals, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cardinals/marbled-cardinalfish
---

# Marbled Cardinalfish (*Fowleria marmorata*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Cardinals (*Apogonidae*)
- **Size:** 7.5 cm
- **Depth:** 1-37 m
- **Activity:** Nocturnal
- **Conservation status:** LC - Least Concern

The Marbled Cardinalfish (Fowleria marmorata) is a tropical marine species that is commonly associated with reef environments, inhabiting depths ranging from 1 to 37 meters. The species can reach a maximum length of 7.5 cm.

Notably, the Marbled Cardinalfish features a distinctive reflective black to bluish-grey spot on the operculum, often outlined in white. Its lateral line is incomplete, and it is further distinguished by dark bands extending from the rear of the eye.

This species is nocturnal, predominantly found inshore over rocky bottoms and is also present in outer reefs with a combination of rich coral and algae rubble slopes. Behaviorally, it is both solitary and cryptic, demonstrating distinct pairing behaviors during courtship and spawning.

Geographically, the Marbled Cardinalfish is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, extending from the Red Sea to the Line, Marquesan, and Society Islands. Its range includes northern areas such as the Ryukyu Islands and extends south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, encompassing regions across Micronesia.

## Also known as

- **English:** Marbled Cardinalfish, Eared Soldier Fish, Barred Cardinalfish
- **Portuguese:** Cardeal-marmoreado
- **Czech:** parmovec mramorovaný
- **Japanese:** オビシボリ, Obishibori
- **Chinese:** 大目側仔, 大面側仔, 顯斑乳突天竺鯛
- **FIJ:** tina

## Scientific synonyms

- *Apogon marmoratus* (Alleyne & MacLeay, 1877)
- *Apogonichthys marmoratus* Alleyne & MacLeay, 1877

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cardinals/marbled-cardinalfish)*
*Updated: August 7, 2026*