Tubifer cardinalfish (Siphamia tubifer)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Siphamia tubifer · Authority: Weber, 1909 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 277708.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Beanea trivittata Steindachner, 1902; Siphamia cuprea Lachner, 1953; Siphamia ovalis Lachner, 1953; Siphamia permutata Klausewitz, 1966.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277708 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 7 cm · Depth range: 0–100 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Found in coastal reefs and outer reef lagoons. This species forms small groups with long-spined urchins (Ref. 48635) (e.g. Diadema setosum in shallow sheltered waters, Ref. 1602); but was also found among the spines of Acanthaster planci (Ref. 90035). Feeds on zooplanktons and small invertebrates (Ref. 89972).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 59179) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Siphamia-tubifer.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

413 georeferenced occurrence records for Siphamia tubifer are published through GBIF from 33 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 139 distinct locations from a sample of 413 records, omitting 16 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: Australia (204); Philippines (63); Japan (26); Indonesia (25); New Caledonia (11); Vanuatu (9); Yemen (9); Fiji (7); India (7); Marshall Islands (7); Oman (4); French Polynesia (4); Papua New Guinea (4); Thailand (3); Tonga (3).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2397513) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2397513&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277708 (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 Siphamia tubifer Weber, 1909 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 193297) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/193297/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2397513) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2397513/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.