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Myripristis botche Cuvier, 1829 Blacktip soldierfish |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae | |||
| Max. size: | 30 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 71 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: robust and compressed body with big eyes; lower jaw with two pairs of tooth patches just outside of gape; gill rakers on first gill arch 10-13 on upper limb, total 32-38; lateral line scales 27-29 (modally 28); axil of pectoral fins without small scales; interorbital not very narrow, width 4.5-5.65 times in head length; caudal-peduncle length 6.2-7.25 times in standard length. Colour of body silvery white, tips of soft dorsal and anal fins and caudal-fin lobes with a black spot, the leading edges of these fins white; scales rimmed with brownish red dorsally and red on sides and ventrally; black pigment of opercular membrane extending to about level of lower edge of eye; outer part of spinous dorsal fin and most of soft dorsal and anal fins red (Ref. 40493). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits protected waters at depths greater than 25 m, often in silty reef areas than well developed coral reefs with clear water (Ref. 12419). Tends to hide in caves or crevices during the day that capture by trawling was unexpected (Ref. 5378). Usually seen in pairs, but occasionally schools in some oceanic locations (Ref. 48635). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||