How to Identify Bigeye Soldierfish

To identify Bigeye Soldierfish (Myripristis murdjan), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

The body is predominantly reddish to reddish-orange, often with silvery reflections on the flanks. The fins are typically reddish, sometimes with white leading edges on the dorsal and anal fins. The opercular margin (gill cover) often has a dark reddish-brown to black blotch.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Very large eyes, characteristic of nocturnal species., Robust, compressed body., Prominent dark blotch on the opercular margin., Deeply forked caudal fin., Rough, ctenoid scales.

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin, deeply notched, with 10-11 spines followed by 13-15 soft rays.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin with pointed lobes.

Pectoral fin

15-16 rays, relatively long.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin with 4 spines and 11-13 soft rays. Pelvic fins with 1 spine and 7 soft rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Eyes

   Look for exceptionally large eyes, a key adaptation for its nocturnal lifestyle.

2. 2

   Coloration

   Observe the overall reddish to reddish-orange body color, often with a silvery sheen.

3. 3

   Opercular Blotch

   Identify the distinct dark reddish-brown to black blotch on the posterior margin of the operculum (gill cover).

4. 4

   Caudal Fin

   Note the deeply forked caudal fin with pointed lobes.

5. 5

   Dorsal Fin

   Examine the single, deeply notched dorsal fin with a spiny anterior portion and a soft-rayed posterior portion.

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