WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Whitetip Soldierfish

Myripristis vittata

Also known as: Bigeye Soldier, Bigeye Soldierfish, Immaculate Soldier, Immaculate Soldierfish, Immaculate Squirrelfish, Red Soldierfish, Red-orange Squirrelfish, Whitetip Soldier, Whitetip Squirrelfish, White-tipped Soldier, White-tipped Soldierfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi, Maldives · August 20071 / 11
01

Overview

Found in large schools during the day in caves and under ledges of steep drop-offs, dispersing at night to hunt for food over inshore waters. Can often be seen swimming upside down!

Soldierfish are nocturnal hunters feeding in the water column on zooplankton. During the day they often congregate close to reefs and in caves, sometimes found upside down in caves.
They can often be heard by divers with their pops, grunts and clicks.
Their colour can change greatly in different lights and if threatened.
Some soldierfish have venomous spines.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Fins & Tail
white fin tips
Head & Mouth
big eyes

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 11
LIVES IN

Found in large schools during the day in caves and under ledges of steep drop-offs, dispersing at night to hunt for food over inshore waters.

04

Adult photos 11

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderHolocentriformes
    5. familyHolocentridae
    6. genusMyripristis
    7. speciesMyripristis vittata Valenciennes, 1831

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Squirrelfishes-Soldierfishes (Holocentridae)