Myripristis murdjan (Forsskal, 1775)

English Name: Pinecone soldierfish
Family: HOLOCENTRIDAE
Local Name: Berebedhi dhanbodu
Order: Beryciformes
Size: Common to 18 cm; max. 27 cm
Specimen: MRS/0327/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines, followed by 1 spine and 13-15 rays. Anal fin with 4 spines and 11-13 rays. Pectoral fin with 14-16 rays. Body depth 2.3-2.5 in standard length. Body oblong. Lower jaw of adults only slightly protruding when mouth closed. Numerous small scales on inner pectoral axil. Third and fourth anal spines subequal. Lateral line scales 27-32.

Colour: Head, body and fins reddish. Leading edges of soft dorsal, anal, caudal and pelvic fins white. Outer part of spiny dorsal bright red.

Habitat and Biology: Coral reef species found at depths of 1-50 m. Hides in caves and crevices by day. Sometimes seen in huge aggregations swimming far from sheltering reefs.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Mvripristis murdjan is acommon species in the Maldives. It can be distinguished from M. berndti by spiny dorsal colouration and M. %‘ittata by scale size.