English Name: Peppered cardinalfish
Family: APOGONIDAE
LocalName: Thikijehi boadhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 6cm
Specimen: MRS/0206/88
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 7 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 9 rays. Anal fin with 2 spines and8 rays. Pectoral fin with 14 rays. Lateral line scales 10-12.
Colour: Reddish brown with black spots in longitudinal rows on sides, and an oscillated black spot on opercle. Fins not spotted. Habitat and Biology: A cryptic coral reef species.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: F isostigma (Jordan and Seale) is a synonym of Fow/eriapuncrulata. Very similar to F variegata which has brown molting on its sides and fins. The family Apogonidaeis one of the largest coral fish families. World-wide there are an estimated 250 species.