Home · Holocentridae · Splendid soldierfish
Splendid soldierfish (Myripristis formosa) — Holocentridae

Splendid soldierfish

Myripristis formosa
Family: Holocentridae

The Splendid soldierfish (Myripristis formosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–30.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei

Want the complete picture on the Splendid soldierfish?

Get the app

Description

The Splendid soldierfish is a soldierfish (Holocentridae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, deep-red body with large eyes and rough scales. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in dense groups in caves, crevices and under overhanging reef and swarms out at night to eat zooplankton and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Splendid soldierfish?

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

Where does the Splendid soldierfish live?

The Splendid soldierfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei

How big does the Splendid soldierfish get?

The Splendid soldierfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Splendid soldierfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Splendid 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Splendid soldierfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Splendid soldierfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Splendid soldierfish sourced
Scientific name
Myripristis formosa
Family
Holocentridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.5 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)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei 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

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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Splendid soldierfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Splendid soldierfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Splendid soldierfish? Get the app