Dr. John Ernest (Jack) Randall (†), Hawaii
Info
Siphamia mossambica is found in the Western Indian Ocean from East Africa to South Africa and around the Mascarene Islands to the Seychelles.
The small cardinalfish lives in tide pools between the spines of sea urchins like the Diadema sea urchin (Echinotrix diadema) and the Common diadem sea urchin (Diadema setosum), where it feels protected from predators.
This cohabitation benefits the small fish and has no known disadvantages for the urchins.
The body of the cardinal is covered with black dots and two dark spots can be seen at the base of the tail root.
Synonym:
Archamia mossambica (Smith, 1955)
The small cardinalfish lives in tide pools between the spines of sea urchins like the Diadema sea urchin (Echinotrix diadema) and the Common diadem sea urchin (Diadema setosum), where it feels protected from predators.
This cohabitation benefits the small fish and has no known disadvantages for the urchins.
The body of the cardinal is covered with black dots and two dark spots can be seen at the base of the tail root.
Synonym:
Archamia mossambica (Smith, 1955)
