Whitetip soldierfish (Myripristis vittata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Myripristis vittata
- Common name
- Whitetip soldierfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Holocentridae
- Genus
- Myripristis
- Size
- 12–20 cm
- Depth
- 10–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- schooling, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Myripristis vittata reaches 20 cm. Small soldierfish with bright red body and large black eyes characteristic of Holocentridae (nocturnal adaptation), distinctive fine dark band on operculum. Lives in dense schools from 10 to 80 m in caves, under drop-offs and grottos of western Indo-Pacific reefs. Nocturnal, comes out to hunt plankton at night, by day gathered in dark shelters. Frequent prey of pelagic predators.
Photo of Whitetip soldierfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Whitetip soldierfish?
- Whitetip soldierfish (Myripristis vittata) reaches 12–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Whitetip soldierfish?
- Whitetip soldierfish is found between 10–80 m deep.
- Is the Whitetip soldierfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Whitetip soldierfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Whitetip soldierfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
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 217924)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2357022)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia