Appearance and lifestyle:
The blotcheye soldier (Myripristis murdjan) is a small, vividly red fish with large eyes, black gill covers and white edges on its fins. It also has small black spines on its gill covers.
Habitat:
Blotcheye soldiers are found around coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly on the African east coast. It is a nocturnal predator and can be found hiding in caves and under ledges during the day. At night, its red colouration serves as camouflage in open water, and it uses this element of surprise.
Diet:
They hunt small crustaceans, zooplankton and fish.
Threats:
Pollution, overfishing, climate change etc.
Grows up to 25cm – but rare specimens up to 60cm have been spotted.
Visually very similar to the bigscale soldier (Myripristis berndti) and epaulet soldier (Myripristis kuntee)
Also known as a big-eye soldierfish, pinecone soldier, crimson soldier, crimson squirrelfish and small-eyed squirrelfish.