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Blackfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) — Holocentridae

Blackfin soldierfish

Myripristis adusta
Family: Holocentridae

The Blackfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The blackfin soldierfish is a nocturnal reef fish (Holocentridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, silvery to reddish body with large eyes and dark-edged fin margins. By day it shelters in groups in caves and under overhanging coral; 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 Blackfin soldierfish?

The Blackfin soldierfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blackfin soldierfish live?

The Blackfin soldierfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackfin soldierfish get?

The Blackfin soldierfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Blackfin soldierfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin soldierfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin soldierfish edible?

The Blackfin soldierfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruinvin-soldatenvis verified
English name
Blackfin soldierfish verified
Scientific name
Myripristis adusta
Family
Holocentridae
Other names
Blue squirrelfish; Bronze soldierfish; One-spot squirrelfish; Shadowfin soldier; Shadowfin soldierfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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