Ostichthys archiepiscopus (Valenciennes, 1862)
Straighthead soldierfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  32 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 90 - 640 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Japan, Fr. Polynesia and the Hawaiian Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14. This species is distinguished by the following characters: scales above lateral line to midbase of spinous portion of dorsal fin 2½; D XII, soft rays modally 14, the last two dorsal-fin spines about equal in length or last slightly shorter; space between last dorsal-fin spine and first dorsal-fin ray about half as broad as space between last two dorsal-fin spines; upper procurrent spiniform caudal-fin rays 4, lower rays 3; origin of anal fin beneath spinous portion of dorsal fin; lateral-line scales 28-30 (usually 29); dorsal profile of head straight; pectoral-fin rays 14-16 (modally 15); gill rakers 7-9 + 13-15; depth of body 2.1-2.35 in SL; head relatively short, 2.45-2.6 in SL; snout long, 3.7-4.7 in HL; depth of caudal peduncle 3.8-4.7 in HL; colour when fresh red with a faint whitish longitudinal banding following scale rows (Ref. 114923).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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