Cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Apogoniformes · Family: Apogonidae · Genus: Apogon.

Accepted name: Apogon imberbis · Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273021.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Amia imberbe (Linnaeus, 1758); Amia imberbis (Linnaeus, 1758); Apogon (Apogon) imberbis (Linnaeus, 1758); Apogon inermis (Linnaeus, 1758); Apogon rexmullorum Cuvier, 1828; Centropomus rubens Spinola, 1807; Kuhlia rubens (Spinola, 1807); Mullus imberbis Linnaeus, 1758.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273021 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Apogon imberbis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 15 cm · Depth range: 10–200 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 15.1 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial.

FishBase notes: Occasionally forms schools; sometimes solitary. Inhabits muddy or rocky bottoms and caves (Ref. 4738). A sciaphilous species thriving in a number of shady/dark habitats and frequents marine caves, where it forms large schools (Ref. 118281).

Feeds on small invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 4738). Observed to feed in the water column and just over the bottom, always at night; 93.4% of observed events occurring outside the caves, usually on rocky bottoms and Posidonia oceanica meadows, and to a lesser extent on pebbles (Ref. 118281). Oral brooding by males (Ref. 4738).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 1693) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Apogon-imberbis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

8,838 georeferenced occurrence records for Apogon imberbis are published through GBIF from 38 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 131 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 81 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: France (5,534); Spain (1,484); Greece (753); Italy (289); Croatia (84).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5211775) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5211775&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273021 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Apogon imberbis (Linnaeus, 1758) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 195886) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195886/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5211775) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5211775/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Apogon imberbis is widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic from Gibraltar and southern Portugal to Angola and includes the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde Islands and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea but does not extend north into the Black Sea.

Apogon imberbis is frequently found on rocky reefs as well as artificial structured reefs from 2-20m in depth. In a study in southern Italy, especially where there are rocky cliffs and caves. It feeds on small fish, invertebrates and plankton.

In the Atlantic, A. imberbis associates with coral and rocky reefs. It is nocturnal and spends the day in cavities or caves either individually or in groups. They can often be abundant on artificial reefs, especially in the Mediterranean.

A. imberbis breed in June to September, it is a mouthbrooding fish, after internal fertilisation of the eggs the male broods the balls of eggs in his mouth. They are commonly found from two to 20 m depth and are also known to school in large numbers. In winter they appear to move to deeper waters.

Apogon imberbis is occasionally used as bait for hook and line fishing but in some parts of its range it is consumed by humans. It is occasionally traded in the aquarium trade.

Source: Wikipedia: Apogon imberbis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apogon_imberbis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.