Myripristis woodsi Greenfield, 1974
Whitespot soldierfish
Myripristis woodsi
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  26.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 20 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: islands of Oceania except Hawaii, Easter Island, Pitcairn Group or islands off the Plate such as Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. Also Caroline Islands to the Line Islands (Kiribati); north to Bonin and Marcus Islands; south to Samoa and Tuamoto Islands, including Micronesia (Ref. 1602).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 10-13. This species is the only Micronesian large-scaled Myripristis that lacks scales on its inner pectoral axil. It also differs by having a white spot on the upper inner pectoral axil and combination of dark red (versus black) opercular membrane, dark red or purple pectoral axil, distinct white ring around the iris, an white anterior margins of its pelvic an soft rayed fins.
Biology:  Inhabits reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Commonly found on exposed outer-reef areas; often at low islands and atolls than high islands (Ref. 12419). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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