Myripristis chryseres Jordan & Evermann, 1903
Yellowfin soldierfish
Myripristis chryseres
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 12 - 350 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: scattered records from Natal, South Africa to Samoa and Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, south to Queensland, Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Body is light red; edges of scales slightly darker red; black of opercular membrane extending well below opercular spine; median and pelvic fins a mixture of yellow and red, usually with more yellow. Front of lower jaw fitting into a deep notch in upper jaw when mouth is closed; inner pectoral fin axil naked (Ref. 4538). The only Micronesian soldierfish with bright yellow fins (Ref. 37816). Description: Characterized by body depth 2.3-2.6 in SL; third anal spine is longer than fourth (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits steep outer reef slopes (Ref. 1602). Often seen in caves with the coelacanths in 182- 239 m at Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) Island (Ref. 58472). Nocturnal species (Ref. 75154). Solitary or in groups (Ref 90102). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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