Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 13-15 (usually 14); Anal spines: 4; Anal rays: 11-14.

Robust and compressed body with large eyes. Lower jaw of adults slightly projecting when mouth closed. A single pair of tooth patches at front of lower jaw outside mouth. 
Vomerine teeth in a triangular patch with rounded corners.

Colour. Light red dorsally becoming paler ventrally. Edges of scales reddish brown. A blackish blotch on iris above pupil, and a lesser blotch below. Opercular membrane 
dark brown to black to about level of middle of eye. Axil of pectoral fins dark brown to black. Spinous dorsal fin light red on basal two-thirds, bright red on outer third. 
Leading edges of soft dorsal, anal, caudal, and pelvic fins white.

Maturity: Lm 17.5cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 23cm TL, commonly to 18cm TL.

Inhabits reef flats and shallow lagoon and seaward reefs (depth 1-50 m usually <10 m). Found in or near crevices and caves. Benthopelagic. Mainly nocturnal. Feeds on large 
zooplankton such as crab larvae. Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, it is not clear how common it is in the catch due to its similarity 
to other species.
 

Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Myripristis-murdjan (29/04/20).
Williams, I. & Greenfield, D. (2016). Myripristis murdjan (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T67871036A67871835.en. (29/04/20).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Myripristis murdjan, Pinecone soldierfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/myripristis-murdjan-forsskal-1775/ (edited 06/07/22).