---
title: Peppered Cardinalfish (Fowleria variegata)
scientific_name: Fowleria variegata
common_name: Peppered Cardinalfish
taxon: Cardinals
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-11-08T16:56:56.720Z
updated: 2025-11-25T13:58:09.000Z
tags: Peppered Cardinalfish, Fowleria variegata, Cardinals, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/cardinals/peppered-cardinalfish
---

# Peppered Cardinalfish (*Fowleria variegata*)

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


Species: Peppered Cardinalfish (Fowleria variegata)

Habitat: Fowleria variegata inhabits coral reefs and seagrass beds within inner bays and shallow lagoons. It is also present in dead reef and rubble areas. The species is found at depths ranging from 1 to 27 meters.

Physical Characteristics: This tropical marine species can reach a maximum length of 8 centimeters. It is primarily nocturnal and manifests either solitary behavior or forms small groups.

Reproductive Behavior: The Peppered Cardinalfish exhibits distinct pairing behavior during courtship and spawning periods.

Geographical Distribution: This species is distributed across the Indo-West Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Oman, Persian Gulf, Kenya, and the Maldives. Its range extends eastward to the Samoa Islands, northward to the Ryukyu Islands, and southward to New South Wales, Australia.

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