Myripristis hexagona (Lacepède, 1802)
Doubletooth soldierfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Palau in Micronesia (Ref. 1602). It has not been found on low islands or atolls of the Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 11-14. Description: Characterized by lower two-thirds of axil of pectoral fins with small scales; front of lower jaw with two pairs of tooth patches outside gape; depth of body 2.1-2.5 in SL; fins reddish without white margins (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sheltered coastal and offshore reefs, usually in turbid areas of bays and lagoons, in 3-40 m (Ref 90102). A nocturnal fish hiding in caves or beneath ledges by day, feeding on plankton such as crab larvae at night. Found in loose aggregations in caves, sometimes with other soldierfish (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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