Corniger spinosus Agassiz, 1831
Spinycheek soldierfish
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 45 - 275 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: South Carolina, USA to Cuba and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: St. Helena (Ref. 5288). Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde Islands (Ref. 94080).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-11. Body bright red, unstriped, darker above, with a dark, brownish red are below soft dorsal fin. Preopercle with large spine at angle and smaller stout spines below. Three large, backward-projecting spines below each eye (Ref. 7251).
Biology:  Inhabits deep rocky slopes (Ref. 7251) and reefs (Ref. 51183).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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