Pinecone Soldierfish

  Tropical reef fish

Pinecone Soldierfish

Pinecone Soldierfish

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.

Pinecone Soldierfish

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

JOURNEY ON THE HIGH SEAS

Journey on the High Seas

Did you know?

The Pinecone soldierfish can emit sounds to communicate with its fellow fish. It feeds mainly on large zooplankton such as crustacean larvae and small benthic invertebrates.

Pinecone Soldierfish
 
 
 

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.

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.

What is distinctive about it?

The soldierfish is oviparous. Spawning usually takes place on the nights following the new moon. The eggs and larvae are planktonic.

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