Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 14-17; Anal spines: 4; Anal rays: 13-15. 

Medium-sized soldierfish with large eyes. A single pair of tooth patches at symphysis of lower jaw just outside mouth. Small scales. No scales on inner side of pectoral fin 
base.

Colour. Head, body and fins scarlet. Upper part of opercular membrane black. Black blotch in pectoral axil. No black pigment in median fins. Leading edges of pelvic, soft 
dorsal, anal and caudal fins, white. 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 20.0 cm TL. 

Inhabits caves or under ledges in lagoons, reef flats and outer reef slopes (depth 1-50 m). Occurs in small, loose groups. Nocturnal. Feeds on plankton such as crab larvae.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Its status in the artisanal catch is unclear due to the similarity of several other species. 
 

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/myripristis-pralinia (29/07/22). 
Moore, J.A. et al. (2010). Myripristis pralinia (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T154850A4650750.en. (29/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Myripristis pralinia, Scarlet soldierfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/myripristis-pralinia-cuvier-1829/