Myripristis vittata Valenciennes, 1831
Whitetip soldierfish
Myripristis vittata
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 119.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 100 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: mainly from oceanic islands, from the Mascarene Islands and Seychelles to French Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Interorbital space broad, 3.3-4.0 in head; inner pectoral axil naked; leading edges of median fins white (Ref 2334); lacks a dark opercular bar (except for perhaps a deeper red). Description: Characterized by rich orange-red color; dorsal fin spines with white tips; third anal spine slightly longer than fourth; body depth 2.3-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in inshore waters (Ref. 75154). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Forms large aggregations in caves and ledges of steep drop-offs. Nocturnal and feeds on plankton (Ref 1241); also on crabs and fishes (Ref. 9137). Individual is often swimming upside down, even when mixed in schools of non-inverted ones (Ref. 48635). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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