Cheilodipterus arabicus is a species of ray-finned fish from the cardinalfish family Apogonidae. It is found in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea where it is relatively common, occurring in small shoals living in association with reefs.

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Tanzania, Mozambique, Seychelles, and India. Size: 7 inches (18 cm) Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoon corals and usually found at depths between 10 – 85 feet (3 – 25 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans/zooplankton during evening hours.