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Holocentriformes (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) >
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) > Myripristinae
Etymology: Myripristis: Greek, myros, -ou = male of morey eel + Greek, pristis = saw (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Jordan & Evermann.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 12 - 350 m (Ref. 58488), usually 30 - 235 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 32°N - 15°S
Indo-Pacific: scattered records from Natal, South Africa to Samoa and Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, south to Queensland, Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334)
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Body is light red; edges of scales slightly darker red; black of opercular membrane extending well below opercular spine; median and pelvic fins a mixture of yellow and red, usually with more yellow. Front of lower jaw fitting into a deep notch in upper jaw when mouth is closed; inner pectoral fin axil naked (Ref. 4538). The only Micronesian soldierfish with bright yellow fins (Ref. 37816).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Inhabits steep outer reef slopes (Ref. 1602). Often seen in caves with the coelacanths in 182- 239 m at Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) Island (Ref. 58472). Nocturnal species (Ref. 75154). Solitary or in groups (Ref 90102). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E. and D.W. Greenfield, 1996. Revision of the Indo-Pacific holocentrid fishes of the genus Myripristis, with descriptions of three new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (25):61 p. (Ref. 12419)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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