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Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) — Holocentridae

Yellowfin soldierfish

Myripristis chryseres
Family: Holocentridae

The Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–350.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowfin soldierfish is a nocturnal reef fish (Holocentridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, deep-red body with strikingly golden-yellow fins and large eyes. By day it shelters in caves and crevices of deeper coral 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 Yellowfin soldierfish?

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

Where does the Yellowfin soldierfish live?

The Yellowfin soldierfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel) and others

How big does the Yellowfin soldierfish get?

The Yellowfin soldierfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Yellowfin soldierfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowfin 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 Yellowfin soldierfish edible?

Yes, the Yellowfin soldierfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) — Holocentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Jerome Huet (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France) (CC BY 4.0)
Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) — Holocentridae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) — Holocentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Pacific Region, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowfin soldierfish (Myripristis chryseres) — Holocentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jeyre, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowfin soldierfish sourced
Scientific name
Myripristis chryseres
Family
Holocentridae
Other names
Yellowfin soldier; Yellowfin soldierfish; Golden-finned squirrelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cocos Is. (Keel) 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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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