General Description
Body oval, compressed, head blunt, tail base long; two large short-based dorsal fins set close together; pelvic fins large; body covered in large rough scales. Colour variable from pinkish to reddish to dusky-brown, with irregular spots and speckles; a darker diagonal line on cheek from below eye. To 15 cm.
Biology
This nocturnal species hides in caves and under ledges during the day. Males brood the developing eggs in their large mouths.
Habitat
Shallow inshore to deeper offshore reefs, in depths of 1-65 m.
Reefs
Distribution guide
Southern Australia.
Species Group
Depth
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)
Water Column
Max Size
15 cm
Commercial Species
No
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Not listed
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Not listed
Author
Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.
Author
Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Southern Cardinalfish, Vincentia conspersa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 29 Apr 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/8023
