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Blacktip soldierfish (Myripristis botche) — Holocentridae

Blacktip soldierfish

Myripristis botche
Family: Holocentridae

The Blacktip soldierfish (Myripristis botche) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–71.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blacktip soldierfish is a nocturnal reef fish (Holocentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, orange-red body with large eyes and dark fin tips. 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 Blacktip soldierfish?

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

Where does the Blacktip soldierfish live?

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

How big does the Blacktip soldierfish get?

The Blacktip soldierfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blacktip soldierfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktip soldierfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacktip soldierfish edible?

Yes, the Blacktip soldierfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartpunt-soldatenvis sourced
English name
Blacktip soldierfish sourced
Scientific name
Myripristis botche
Family
Holocentridae
Other names
Blacktip soldierfish; Finspot soldierfish; Pale soldier; Soldierfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
71.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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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