Description

Also known as Blackstripe Cardinalfish, Nine-banded Cardinalfish, Nine-banded Soldierfish, Nineline Cardinalfish, Nurseryfish.

Found in pairs, close to shelter, over rocky areas, of shallow, lagoons and reef flats, dispersing at night foraging for food, over the reef.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 10cm
Depth - 1-4m
Widespread Pacific Ocean

Males incubate their eggs inside their mouths, as the egg masses increase in size they can be found with wide open mouths where they shift the eggs around to aerate the egg masses. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ostorhinchus-novemfasciatus.html