Gelatinous Cardinalfish

The report pertains to the Gelatinous Cardinalfish (Pseudamia gelatinosa), a tropical marine species typically associated with reef habitats at depth ranges from 1 to 64 meters, more commonly found between 1 to 40 meters. The maximum recorded length for this species is 11 centimeters.

When freshly observed, the fish's body appears translucent, with sides and the ventral region of the head exhibiting a light golden to silvery iridescent hue. The head and body feature large brown spots, each centered with a golden dot. The peritoneum is dusky, peppered with numerous black dots. Notably, the anterior nostril is characterized by a long, darkly pigmented membranous flap, and the dorsal part of the caudal fin may occasionally present an indistinct dark spot. The species is identified by having 39-43 scales in the longitudinal series and can be distinguished from Pseudamia amblyuroptera by a reduced number of gill rakers and anal fin rays.

The Gelatinous Cardinalfish typically inhabits protected bays and lagoon reefs. It resides deep within coral thickets, thus being rarely observed during daylight hours as it is predominantly nocturnal. The species exhibits solitary behavior, although distinct pairing is noted during courtship and spawning seasons.

Its geographical distribution spans the Indo-Pacific region, including the 🌊 Red Sea and East Africa extending to 🇵🇫 French Polynesia, northward to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan), and southward to Sydney Harbor, New South Wales (🇦🇺 Australia). As of this report, it has not been recorded in the 🌊 Persian Gulf, 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, Lord Howe Island, Hawaiian Islands, Marquesas Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia), Pitcairn Group, or Easter Island, though it has recently been documented in 🇮🇳 India.