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Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) — Holocentridae

Brick soldierfish

Myripristis amaena
Family: Holocentridae

The Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–190.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The brick soldierfish is a nocturnal reef fish (Holocentridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and has a deep, uniformly brick-red body with large eyes and silvery fin margins. By day it shelters in groups in caves and crevices of coral and rocky reefs; at night it swarms out to hunt large zooplankton, mainly crustaceans, in open water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brick soldierfish?

The Brick soldierfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Brick soldierfish live?

The Brick soldierfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others

How big does the Brick soldierfish get?

The Brick soldierfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Brick soldierfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brick soldierfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Brick soldierfish edible?

Yes, the Brick soldierfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) — Holocentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) — Holocentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) — Holocentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Robin White, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena) — Holocentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Andy Blackledge (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Brick soldierfish sourced
Scientific name
Myripristis amaena
Family
Holocentridae
Other names
Brick soldierfish; Castlenau's soldierfish; Soldierfish; Squirrelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
190.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Myripristis

More from the family Holocentridae

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