Myripristis amaena (Castelnau, 1873)
Brick soldierfish
Myripristis amaena
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  26.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 190 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Indonesia and the Philippines to Hawaii and Ducie Islands; north to Ryukyu Islands and Marcus Islands throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Fins are uniformly red and lack white leading edges or darker tips.
Biology:  Inhabits reef flats and seaward slopes to depths of more than 52 m where it is found in groups in caves and under ledges (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on polychaetes, also on crab megalops, hermit crab larvae, and larvae of alpheid shrimps (Ref. 12419). Forms large schools in oceanic locations (Ref. 48635).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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