Ostichthys japonicus (Cuvier, 1829)
Japanese soldierfish
Ostichthys japonicus
photo by Lai, N.-W.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 90 - 240 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from the Andaman Sea to the Philippines; north to southern Japan, south to Australia, east to New Caledonia, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu;
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3½ scales above lateral line to midbase of spinous portion of dorsal fin; spineless at anterior end of nasal bone of adults or subadults; no large spine at the corner of preoperculum of adults (subadults may have a small spine at angle); 28-30 lateral-line scales (usually 28, rarely 30); D XII; space between last dorsal-fin spine and first dorsal-fin ray notably less than space between last two dorsal-fin spines; pectoral-fin rays 15-17 (usually 17, rarely 15); height of second suborbital bone below center of eye ½ eye diameter; last dorsal-fin spine distinctly longer than penultimate spine; prepelvic scales 9; dorsal profile of head nearly uniformly convex; gill rakers 7-10 + 12-14; depth of body 2.05-2.2 in SL; head length 2.35-2.5 in SL; snout short, 4.65-5.6 in HL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.0-4.5 in HL; colour when fresh overall reddish, edges of scales red, the centers silvery pink (Ref. 114923).
Biology:  Found in the sublittoral zone (Ref. 11230).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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