Double-tooth Soldierfish

Overview

The Double-tooth Soldierfish (Myripristis hexagona) is a nocturnal, reef-associated species widely distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is commonly found in sheltered coastal and offshore reefs, often favoring the turbid waters of bays and lagoons.

Distribution & habitat

This species ranges from East Africa to Samoa, extending north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. It typically inhabits depths between 3 and 40 meters. Notably, it is generally absent from low islands and atolls throughout its range.

Appearance

This fish features an oval, laterally compressed body that is light red to yellowish in color. Its scales are large and distinctively bordered with red. A key identifying feature is the presence of two pairs of tooth patches on the front of the lower jaw, which are visible when the mouth is closed in larger individuals. Unlike many other soldierfish in the region, its fins are generally pale red and lack white margins.

Biology & behavior

As a nocturnal animal, the Double-tooth Soldierfish spends its daylight hours seeking shelter in caves, crevices, or beneath rocky ledges. It is often observed in loose aggregations, sometimes sharing these hiding spots with other soldierfish species. At night, it emerges to feed in the open water column.

Feeding

This species is a planktivore, primarily consuming zooplankton such as crab larvae during its nocturnal foraging periods.