Bigtooth cardinalfish (Paroncheilus affinis)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Paroncheilus affinis · Authority: (Poey, 1875) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 320100.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Apogon affinis (Poey, 1875); Cheilodipterus affinis (Poey, 1875); Chilodipterus affinis Poey, 1875; Paroncheilus stauchi Smith, 1964; Phaeoptyx affinis (Poey, 1875).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=320100 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 11 cm · Depth range: 20–300 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.

FishBase notes: Adults prefer exposed deep reefs and rocky outcroppings (Ref. 7251). Eggs are incubated orally by both parents (Ref. 240). This is the only species in the genus Apogon with mouthbrooding done by males and females (Ref. 85456).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3520) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Paroncheilus-affinis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

188 georeferenced occurrence records for Paroncheilus affinis are published through GBIF from 33 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 84 distinct locations from a sample of 188 records, omitting 8 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: United States of America (44); Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (29); Mexico (15); Curaçao (13); Colombia (11); Bahamas (5); Cuba (5); Dominica (5); Honduras (5); Jamaica (5); Trinidad and Tobago (5); Angola (4); Sao Tome and Principe (4); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (4); Saint Barthélemy (3).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2397300) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2397300&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=320100 (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 Paroncheilus affinis (Poey, 1875) 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 185924) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/185924/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2397300) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2397300/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The bigtooth cardinalfish grows to a maximum length of about 11 cm. It is a laterally compressed fish with a large head, short snout and large eye. The obliquely-set mouth is moderately large and the lower jaw projects forward.

Each jaw has a row of tiny teeth interspersed by some large canine teeth. There are further vomerine teeth, including some small canines, on the roof of the mouth. The dorsal fin is divided into two separate fins; the first dorsal fin has seven spines and the second has seven soft rays.

The anal fin has two spines and nine soft rays. The dorsal surface is a translucent salmon, orange or bronze colour, and the underside of head and body are silvery. There is a faint dark stripe extending from the mouth, through the eye to the top of the operculum, and the outer edge of the tailfin may also be dark.

Distribution and habitat

The bigtooth cardinalfish is native to the tropical Atlantic Ocean. In the east, its range extends along the Atlantic coast, from Ivory Coast to Angola, including the Gulf of Guinea, the Cape Verde Islands and Ascension Island.

In the west, its range extends from northeastern Florida southwards and westwards to the Bahamas and the Gulf of Mexico, and from Mexico to northwestern Cuba, the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, Suriname and along the coast of South America to Ilha Itaparica, Brazil. It is found at depths between 15 and 300 m, most often between 20 and 90 m. It is usually associated with coral or rocky reefs, rocky outcrops, or sometimes gravel or rubble-covered seabed.

Ecology

The bigtooth cardinalfish is nocturnal, concealing itself in crevices and caves during the day. Large schools sometimes form near the base of underwater cliffs.

It is carnivorous, feeding on small fishes and squids, crustaceans and benthic invertebrates. Breeding takes place throughout the year, with a male and female forming a pair bond before spawning. This species is a mouth brooder; some authorities state that the male incubates a ball of eggs in its mouth, while other authorities state that mouth brooding is performed by both parents.

Status

In general this fish faces few threats because its typical rocky habitat is not under threat and it is of no commercial interest. It is however vulnerable to predation by the invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Caribbean region; this is a voracious venomous species which feeds at night and swallows fish the size of the bigtooth cardinalfish whole. Elsewhere it is a common fish and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern.

Source: Wikipedia: Bigtooth cardinalfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigtooth_cardinalfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.