Threadfin Porgy

Evynnis cardinalis has a robust, strongly compressed body which is deeper than its head. The upper profile of the head is oblique, frequently showing a bulge near the eyes. This species has its dorsal fin supported by 12 spines, the third and fourth spines being elongated and filamentous, and 11 or 12 soft rays, while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 9 soft rays. The caudal fin is forked. The number of scale rows between lateral the line and the fourth dorsal-fin spine is typically 6.5, although it is infrequently 5.5. There are no teeth on the vomer. The overall colour of the body in life is red with silver tints and irregular blue spots along the flanks. This species has a maximum published total length of 40 cm (16 in) although 20 cm (7.9 in) is more typical.

Evynnis cardinalis is found in the northwest Pacific Ocean where it has been recorded from China, Japan and Korea south to Vietnam and Indonesia. It is mainly found at depths between 30 and 60 m (98 and 197 ft) bur can be found as deep as 100 m (330 ft)over a number of different substrates but it is commonest over reefs and rough areas of seabed.

Evynnis cardinalis has the specific name cardinalis, meaning "red", an allusion to the pale red or pinkish colour of the fish.