Panamic Soldierfish
Myripristis leiognathus
Panamic soldierfishes, small, bright red, big-eyed fish, are fairly common reef inhabitants in their distribution range. Panamic, a part of the common name of this species, means that these fish are found in a geographic province of the eastern Pacific encompassing central Baja California to northern Peru. The second part of their common name comes from the swimming behavior of soldierfishes. They are frequently seen swimming in nicely organized schools that are said to resemble military formations.
Credit: Ken Kurtis
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Panamic Soldierfish
Myripristis leiognathus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
At the Aquarium
This species lives in the Aquarium’s Gulf of California exhibit.
Geographic Distribution
Central west coast of Baja California to the Gulf of California, south to Equador. Also in the Revillagigedos, Cocos, Malpelo, Clipperton, and Galapagos Islands.
Habitat
These fish are inshore fish preferring rocky or coral reefs in water depths of 1 to 33 m (3.3 to 108.3ft).
Physical Characteristics
Perch-like in form this laterally compressed fish has a single dorsal fin and a forked caudal fin notched to about half its length. It has a rounded snout and large eyes.
The scales have a base color of red, with darker margins that give the impression of mildly irregular but distinct horizontal lines. The scales are ctenoid, having small, backward pointing spines on the distal margins. The term ctenoid comes from the Greek ‘cteno’, meaning comb. The spines are short, but sharp, and give the fish a rough, prickly, coarse sandpapery feeling.
Size
Panamic soldierfish can reach a length of about 18.0 cm (7 in).
Diet
They emerge from reef crevices, holes, and small caves at night to cruise the reef, often in small aggregations, looking for a meal of primarily crustaceans and large zooplankton.
Reproduction
Specific information is rather meager about reproductive activity in this species. Some Myripristis species have been seen spawning in open water a few days after the full moon. Eggs float until hatching into larvae that are planktonic for several weeks before they settle out to develop into juveniles.
Behavior
These fish are nocturnal and spend the night hours feeding, often near the water surface. During the day they find safe cover in holes, small caves, and under overhangs. When active they may be seen solitary, in small aggregations, or sometimes in large, well-organized schools.
Adaptation
The red color and large eyes of this species are characteristic of nocturnal or cave/ledge dwellers.The large eyes help them to see in dim light and the red color looks black in dim light or deep water where red is filtered out.
Conservation
This species is subject to predation in all phases of its lifespan. Plankton feeders prey on their eggs and larvae for a food source and both juveniles and adults are prey for larger fish and other marine animals.
Although small, Panamic soldierfish are considered a good food fish. They are easily caught and are commonly the target of subsistence fishers. They are offered for sale fresh in some fish markets. Because of their availability, reasonable cost, and hardiness, they have become quite popular with home aquarists.
In areas of human activities these fish, like many other inshore species, commonly face loss of habitat. A popular food fish they may also be subject to overfishing. At the present time this species is not listed by CITES or the IUCN Red List.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Panamic Soldierfish
Myripristis leiognathus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
This species lives in the Aquarium’s Gulf of California exhibit.
Central west coast of Baja California to the Gulf of California, south to Equador. Also in the Revillagigedos, Cocos, Malpelo, Clipperton, and Galapagos Islands.
These fish are inshore fish preferring rocky or coral reefs in water depths of 1 to 33 m (3.3 to 108.3ft).
Perch-like in form this laterally compressed fish has a single dorsal fin and a forked caudal fin notched to about half its length. It has a rounded snout and large eyes.
The scales have a base color of red, with darker margins that give the impression of mildly irregular but distinct horizontal lines. The scales are ctenoid, having small, backward pointing spines on the distal margins. The term ctenoid comes from the Greek ‘cteno’, meaning comb. The spines are short, but sharp, and give the fish a rough, prickly, coarse sandpapery feeling.
Panamic soldierfish can reach a length of about 18.0 cm (7 in).
They emerge from reef crevices, holes, and small caves at night to cruise the reef, often in small aggregations, looking for a meal of primarily crustaceans and large zooplankton.
Specific information is rather meager about reproductive activity in this species. Some Myripristis species have been seen spawning in open water a few days after the full moon. Eggs float until hatching into larvae that are planktonic for several weeks before they settle out to develop into juveniles.
These fish are nocturnal and spend the night hours feeding, often near the water surface. During the day they find safe cover in holes, small caves, and under overhangs. When active they may be seen solitary, in small aggregations, or sometimes in large, well-organized schools.
The red color and large eyes of this species are characteristic of nocturnal or cave/ledge dwellers.The large eyes help them to see in dim light and the red color looks black in dim light or deep water where red is filtered out.
This species is subject to predation in all phases of its lifespan. Plankton feeders prey on their eggs and larvae for a food source and both juveniles and adults are prey for larger fish and other marine animals.
Although small, Panamic soldierfish are considered a good food fish. They are easily caught and are commonly the target of subsistence fishers. They are offered for sale fresh in some fish markets. Because of their availability, reasonable cost, and hardiness, they have become quite popular with home aquarists.
In areas of human activities these fish, like many other inshore species, commonly face loss of habitat. A popular food fish they may also be subject to overfishing. At the present time this species is not listed by CITES or the IUCN Red List.