Bigscale Soldierfish, Myripristis berndti Jordan & Evermann, 1903

ANIMAL SPECIES:Bigscale Soldierfish, Myripristis berndti Jordan & Evermann, 1903

The Bigscale Soldierfish occurs on coral reefs and can be recognised by its colouration. During the day it is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Identification

The Bigscale Soldierfish can be recognised by its colouration. The scales are silver-pink to pale yellow with red edges. The spiny dorsal fin is orange to yellow on the outer portion and red basally. All the other fins are red, with a white margin and often with a dark submarginal streak. The opercular membrane and naked area above the pectoral fin are dark brown to black.

Size range

The Bigscale Soldierfish grows to 30 cm in length.

Distribution

The species is widely distributed throughout tropical, marine waters of the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific.

In Australia it is recorded from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Bigscale Soldierfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs on coral reefs. During the day it is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Classification

Species:: berndti
Genus:: Myripristis
Family:: Holocentridae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
Randall, J.E & D.W. Greenfield, 1996. Revision of the Indo-Pacific Holocentrid Fishes of the Genus Myripristis, with descriptions of three new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes 25: 1-61, pls i-ix.

Last Updated: 24 June 2009

Share: