Pinecone Soldierfish

Tropical reef fish

Parcours précédent parcours suivant

Identity card

Pinecone Soldierfish

Scientific name:: Myripristis murdjan

Family:: Myripristinae

Class:: Actinopterygii

Phylum:: Chordata

Year of description:: Forsskål, 1775

IUCN Status:: Least Concern

Distribution:: Indo-Pacific Ocean

Habitat:: In coral reefs, at a depth of 1 to 50 metres.

Size:: 18 cm on average up to a maximum length of 60 cm.

Diet:: Large zooplankton and small benthic invertebrates.

The Pinecone soldierfish can emit sounds to communicate with its fellow fish.

The soldierfish have been at Nausicaa since June 2011. Little by little, the carers have gained the trust of the soldierfish and have succeeded in getting them to come out of their hiding place during the day.

Did you know?

Where is the animal to be found?

An iconic fish of underwater caves, soldierfish are particularly well adapted to living at night. It is often found sheltered from daylight. It lives in coral reefs, between 1 and 50 metres deep. It remains hidden during the day, under rocky overhangs, in caves or crevices and in this case, it is often found in shoals on the ceiling of caves.

How can it be recognised?

Their red coat appears grey in the moonlight, so they can more easily blend in with their surroundings.
Its large eyes are adapted to its nocturnal lifestyle. Therefore, they are extremely sensitive and will detect even the slightest light.
It measures 18 cm on average but can reach a maximum length of 60 cm.
It feeds mainly on large zooplankton such as crustacean larvae and small benthic invertebrates.