3 KUNTEE SOLDIERFISH
Myripristis kuntee Valenciennes, 1831
Inhabits caves and crevices of coral reefs; distinguished by broad dark behind head to pectoral fin base and 37-44 scales in lateral line; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 20 cm.
★★★
4 PALE SOLDIERFISH
Myripristis melanostictus Bleeker, 1863
Inhabits caves and crevices of coral reefs; similar to 2 above, but differs in lacking small scales on the inside base (“armpit”) of pectoral fin; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 30 cm.
★★★
5 CRIMSON SOLDIERFISH
Myripristis murdjan (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits caves and crevices of coral reefs; distinguished by dark margin on upper part of gill cover and 27-32 scales in lateral-line; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 30 cm.
★★★
6 SPOTFIN SQUIRRELFISH
Neoniphon sammara (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits patch reefs in lagoons amongst branching corals; distinguished by slender shape, silvery or pale colouration, and black spot at front of dorsal fin; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 32 cm.
★★
7 DEEPWATER SQUIRRELFISH
Ostichthys kaianus (Gunther, 1880)
Inhabits offshore trawling ground between about 300-650 m depth; distinguished by broad V-shaped groove at middle of snout and 12 dorsal spines; N.W. Australia and Indonesia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 30 cm.
★★
8 ROUGH SQUIRRELFISH
Pristilepis oligolepis (Whitley, 1941)
Inhabits offshore trawling grounds; distinguished by narrow, elongate groove at middle of snout and 12 dorsal spines; W. Australia and scattered, mainly W. Pacific localities; to 20 cm.
★★
9 CROWNED SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron diadema (Lacepède, 1802)
Inhabits coral reefs to 30 m depth; distinguished by broad black margin on dorsal fin; found throughout the region; N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 16 cm.
★★
10 SPECKLED SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron punctatissimum (Cuvier, 1829)
Inhabits rocky shores and reefs exposed to wave action; distinguished by pepper-like spotting on sides; N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 15 cm.
★★
11 RED SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron rubrum (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits live and dead coral reefs, usually in protected lagoons; distinguished by red and white stripes of about equal width; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 28 cm.
★★
12 SPINY SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron spiniferum (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits caves and crevices of coral reefs, distinguished by overall red colouration and very long spine at lower margin of cheek; N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 40 cm.
★★★
13 BLUESTRIPE SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron tiere (Cuvier, 1829)
Inhabits mainly outer exposed reefs to 20 m depth; distinguished by brilliant red colour, and iridescent blue stripes on lower sides; N. W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-C. Pacific; to 34 cm.
★★★
14 VIOLET SQUIRRELFISH
Sargocentron violaceum (Bleeker, 1853)
Inhabits caves and crevices of coral reefs; distinguished by overall dusky appearance; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 23 cm.
★★
PREDATORS OF THE NIGHT
The fishes featured on this plate are members of the family Holocentridae, commonly known as squirrelfishes or soldierfishes. They occur in all tropical seas. Most of the approximately 70 species inhabit the Indo-Pacific region. They are characterised by rough scales, prominent fin spines, a large eye, and red coloration. Another remarkable feature is their ability to produce clearly audible “clicking” sounds, believed to function as a form of communication between members of the school. Squirrelfishes differ from soldierfishes in possessing a sharp spine at the back of each cheek, which can inflict a painful wound if handled carelessly. Therefore caution must be exercised when removing them from a hook. Although most of the species are small, the flesh is considered good eating.
Although very abundant on coral reefs, snorkelers seldom see these fishes. During the day they remain hidden deep in the shadows of caves, cracks, and crevices. They begin to appear in the open shortly after sunset. Because most of the reef’s fish occupants are active during the day, many invertebrates, particularly crustaceans and echinoderms, have evolved a strategy to avoid them by coming out to feed at night. Squirrelfishes have adapted night-time feeding habits to take advantage of this nocturnal food supply. They feed mainly on crustaceans, particularly small crabs and shrimps.
PLATE 15: SQUIRRELFISHES (FAMILY HOLOCENTRIDAE)
1 BIGSCALE SOLDIERFISH
Myripristis berndti (Jordan & Evermann, 1903)
Inhabits coral reef caves and ledges; all Myripristis lack a prominent spine on the lower edge of the cheek that is found in other squirrelfishes; distinguished by 28-31 scales along lateral line, pale body with dark scale edges, yellow dorsal fin, and dark edge on gill cover; Great Barrier Reef, offshore reefs of W.A., and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-E. Pacific; to 19 cm.
★★★
2 YELLOWFIN SOLDIERFISH
Myripristis chryseres (Jordan & Evermann, 1903)
Inhabits coral reef caves and ledges, usually below 30 m depth; distinguished by bright yellow fins; Great Barrier Reef and Indonesia; widely scattered localities in the Indo-C. Pacific; to 25 cm.
★★★
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