Family: |
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae |
Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 50 m |
Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesas and Mangaréva Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Marshall and Mariana Islands in Micronesia. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 13-15. Scarlet in color; no pigment on median fins but may have a small black spot at base of soft dorsal fin and some dusky pigment at leading edges of median fins (Ref. 11228). Scales small (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by dark brown upper opercular membrane; fourth anal spine longer than third; axil of pectoral fins without scales; depth of body 2.2-2.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
Biology: |
A nocturnal species found in small, loose groups in caves or under ledges of reef flats, lagoons, and outer reef slopes. Feeds on plankton such as crab larvae (Ref. 12419). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Country info: |
Recorded from Leyte Gulf (Ref. 68980), and Bantayan Is. in northern Cebu (Ref. 114734). Museum: USNM 138817, 138818, 189404, 189406, 189409, 189412, 189413, 189420, 189424, 189440, 189444, 189446. Luzon, Bolinao, BPBM 36838 (4.7 cm SL) (Ref. 12419). Also Ref. 5300, 53416, 121724. |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.