Blotcheye soldierfish (Myripristis murdjan)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Myripristis murdjan
- Common name
- Blotcheye soldierfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Holocentridae
- Genus
- Myripristis
- Size
- 15–27 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, cave
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Myripristis murdjan reaches 27 cm. Oval vivid-red body with silver scales, huge black eyes filling the head (nocturnal vision), characteristic black-purple ink-blot mark behind the operculum (hence blotcheye). Forms dense schools in caves and under coral overhangs by day, emerges at night to hunt zooplankton. Wide distribution from the Red Sea to the Pacific.
Photo of Blotcheye soldierfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blotcheye soldierfish?
- Blotcheye soldierfish (Myripristis murdjan) reaches 15–27 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blotcheye soldierfish?
- Blotcheye soldierfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Blotcheye soldierfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blotcheye soldierfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blotcheye soldierfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Myripristis
Other species in the family Holocentridae
- Holocentrus adscensionis - Squirrelfish
- Sargocentron coruscum - Reef squirrelfish
- Neoniphon marianus - Longjaw squirrelfish
- Holocentrus rufus - Longspine squirrelfish
- Sargocentron spiniferum - Sabre squirrelfish
- Sargocentron vexillarium - Bigeye Squirrelfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 217925)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2356993)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia