Changing Spots

Miguel?s Diving staff often sees what looks like the Twinspot cardinalfish (Archamia biguttata) but without the twin spot! This particular species has a distinctive, large dark spot on its cheek. A smaller twin spot appears on its tail base. However, this twin spot can be turned on and off at will. Twinspot cardinalfish seen here in Gorontalo never have the twin spot and always have a dark angular band below the eye, which reminds us of a beard. Although our dive staff knows where to find this fish, it has yet to be photographed.

One of our fish expert friends recalls his experience of cardinalfish changing their spots. Flower cardinalfish (Apogon fleurieu) have a rounded tail spot when water temperatures are cool. In shallower, warmer waters the spot becomes larger and covers most of the tail base. Fish that look like this are called Ringtailed cardinalfish (A. aureus). Once in Bali our friend watched an entire population change when the water grew warm, hence appearing to change from one species to another. Is this confusing? We think so, especially since the Twinspot cardinalfish in Gorontalo?s warm waters don?t have the twin spot!