Marine Life

Immaculate soldierfish

Dhanbodu

Myripristis vittata

The small, brightly-colored Myripristis vittata is one of the more common soldierfishes in the Maldives. It has a similar coloration to M. murdjan, but can be distinguished by the presence of white tips on the spiny dorsal fin, as well as its smaller body and scale size.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 18 cm
color: Body orange-red. No dark pigment on opercular membrane. Spiny dorsal red but with white tips. A bright red spot at pectoral fin base; pectorals red, other fins red with white leading edges.
order: Beryciformes
family: Holocentridae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/myripristis-vittata.png
habitat and biology: This species is found in the outer reef areas at depths greater than 10 m and is active during the night.
distinctive characters: The dorsal fin has 10 spines, followed by one spine and 13-15 rays; the anal fin has 4 spines and 11-12 rays; the pectoral fin has 15-16 rays; the lateral line scales range from 35-40; the third anal spine is longer than the fourth; there are no scales on the inner pectoral axil; and there is a single pair of tooth patches at the symphysis of the lower jaw just outside the mouth.