About Taeniamia zosterophora (Bleeker, 1856)
Taeniamia zosterophora, commonly known as the girdled cardinalfish, is a species of cardinalfish that belongs to the genus Taeniamia, which was first described in 2013. This species is native to the western Pacific Ocean, ranging from Indonesia to Vanuatu and from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia. It inhabits reefs located in protected bays and lagoons, where it forms dense schools around and among the branches of multiple branching coral species—most notably Porites cylindrica and species from the Acropora genus—and also occurs above sandy patches. It can be found at depths between 1 and 40 meters (3.3 to 131.2 feet). Fully grown individuals reach a maximum total length of 8 centimeters (3.1 inches). The species can be identified by two key markings: two narrow vertical red stripes located beside its gills, and a distinct small black dot at the base of its tail. It is sometimes available in the aquarium trade.
