Myripristis vittata Cuvier, 1831

English Name: Immaculate soldierfish
Family: HOLOCENTRIDAE
Local Name: Dhanbodu
Order: Beryciformes
Size: Max. 18 cm bMRS/0l96/88

---

Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines, followed by I spine and 13-15 rays. Anal fin with 4 spines and 11-12 rays. Pectoral fin with 15-16 rays. Lateral line scales 35-40. Third anal spine longer than fourth. No scales on inner pectoral axil. Single pair of tooth patches at symphysis of lower jaw just outside mouth.

Colour: Body orange-red. No darkpigment on opercular membrane. Spiny dorsal red but with white tips. A bright red spot at pectoral fin base; pectorals red, other fins red with white leading edges.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs in outer reef areas at depths greater than 10 m. Nocturnal.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: The small, bright coloured Myripristis l’ittata is one of the commoner soldierfishes in the Maldives. Its colouration is quite similar to that of M. murdjan but it can be distinguished by the presence of white tips to the spiny dorsal, as well as its smaller body and scale size.