Ozichthys

Ozichthys
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Kurtiformes
Family:	Apogonidae
Subfamily:	Apogoninae
Genus:	Ozichthys T. H. Fraser,2014
Species:	O. albimaculosus
Binomial name
Ozichthys albimaculosus (Kailola,1976)
Synonyms
Foa albimaculosusKailola,1976 Apogon albimaculosusKailola,1976

Ozichthysis amonotypic genusofcardinalfish,which was named and characterized in 2014. Its solespecies,Ozichthys albimaculosus(also known as thecream-spotted cardinalfish), is found in tropicalAustraliaand southernNew Guinea.

Taxonomy and description

Originally described asFoa albimaculosusin 1976,Ozichthys albimaculosusis included in thecladecontainingApogonichthys,Foa,Fowleria,andNeamia.Members of the family Apogonidae are of the suborderPercoidei.Apogonids characteristically have large heads and an ellipsoidal body.Ozichthysshares a number of other similar features with other members of the clade. These include aspects of head pigmentation and the colouration of fins along the body and vertical aspects are similar as well. Finally, each pored lateral-line scale demonstrates one pore oriented above the raised median canal and another below.

Features distinguishing the genusOzichthysfrom other similarly colored apogonids include the number of spines on the first dorsal fin. There are sawtooth edges along the lower cheek bones. The bones supporting the first and second caudal fin rays are fused. In addition, principal caudal fin-rays show sixteen rows of freeneuromasts.The posterior orbits have more than three flute canals. The firstdorsal finshows 8 visible spines. The ninth rib is epineural. The lateral-line scales contain 23–24 pores.There are 9 dorsal spines, 9 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 2 anal soft rays.

Distribution and habitat

Thesenocturnalfish, which exhibitexternal fertilisationof eggs, andmouthbroodingby males, are found distributed through Australia and Papua New Guinea.Typically, they are found in soft bottom, inshore locations and trawling sites.Pairing is distinct during courtship andspawning.

This tropical reef-associated fish typically resides in a depth range of 7–37 metres (23–121 ft) but can also be found as deep as 80 metres (260 ft). The maximum total length recorded was an unsexed male measuring 10.0 centimetres (3.9 in).