Epaulette Soldierfish, Myripristis kuntee Valenciennes, 1831
Epaulette Squirrelfish, Kuntee Soldierfish, Kuntee Squirrelfish, Shoulderbar Soldierfish
Introduction
The Epaulette Soldierfish is a nocturnal species with large eyes and a broad bar behind the head.
Identification
The Epaulette Soldierfish has large eyes, rough scales and a forked caudal fin. It is red to orange-red above and shades to silver ventrally. There is a blackish bar through the pupil and a broad bar behind the head from the upper end of the gill opening to the pectoral fin base.
Habitat
It is usually seen in caves and crevices during the day, but at night comes out into the open to feed.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south on the east coast to northern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
- Randall, J.E & D.W. Greenfield, 1996. Revision of the Indo-Pacific Holocentrid Fishes of the Genus Myripristis, with descriptions of three new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes 25: 1-61, pls i-ix.