Mangrove Cardinalfish (Yarica hyalosoma)

Mangrove Cardinalfish (Yarica hyalosoma)

A school of Mangrove Cardinalfish resting in the mouth of Sungei Cina. (Photograph by: Lumin Ong)

Family: Apogonidae

Species Name: Yarica hyalosoma
Common Name(s): Mangrove Cardinalfish, Humpbacked Cardinalfish

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Brackish such as estuaries and mangrove swamps. Enters the lower reaches of freshwater rivers as well.
Conservation status: Least Concern (Red Data Book 3)

The Mangrove Cardinalfish is a unique-looking fish that can be seen in freshwater to more commonly, brackish habitats. As its common name suggests, it can be found in our mangrove swamps, creeks and more during rising to high tide. It can be also seen in tidal rivers, river mouths and along the coast if it can't enter the mangrove forest due to low water levels.

The genus Yarica is said to include two species but so far, Y.hyalosoma seems to be the only widely recognized and documented species. It stands out from other cardinalfishes due to its habitat preferences and stocky build, which can reach 17cm in length. The Mangrove Cardinalfish is generally grey with a spot on both sides of the peduncle (base of tail). 

Being a cardinalfish, the Mangrove Cardinalfish is a predator with great eyesight due to its big eyes, picking off smaller fish and invertebrates in the water column with the help of its even bigger mouth. It is also a mouthbrooder just like its relatives.

A Mangrove Cardinalfish spotted in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. (Photograph by: Lumin Ong)

References

• FishBase. Yarica hyalosoma (Bleeker, 1852) – Humpbacked Cardinalfish. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Yarica-hyalosoma.
• Lim, K.K.P. & Low, J.K.Y. 1998. A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, 163 pp. ISBN 981-00-9904-5.
• National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.