Myripristis trachyacron Bleeker, 1863
East indian soldierfish
photo by Tonozuka, T.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Deep orange with white-tipped dorsal fin spines and dusky caudal fin tips. Small rare species, but easily mistaken for Myripristis vittata (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by posterior lobes of dorsal, anal and caudal fins having blackish blotch; axil of pectoral fins without small scales; very broad interorbital, 3.1-3.6 in head length; depth of body 2.3-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Swims in small aggregations in current prone channels, at moderate depths (Ref. 48635). Poorly known species on outer reef slopes in 3-50 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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