Description:

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

Medium-sized soldierfish. Interorbital space broad. Single pair of tooth patches at symphisis of lower jaw just outside mouth. No scales on inner side of pectoral fin base.
3rd anal spine longer than 4th.

Colour. Head, body and fins reddish orange. No dark pigment on opercular membrane, except for perhaps a deeper red. Pectoral axil not black. No dark pigment on fins. Tips of 
dorsal spines white. Leading edge of pelvic, anal, soft dorsal and caudal fins white.
 

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 25.0 cm TL, usually to 18 cm TL. 

Habitat and Ecology:

Found in inshore waters. Inhabits caves and ledges of steep drop-offs (depth 3-80 m, usually 15-80 m). Benthopelagic. Nocturnal. Feeds primarily on plankton. Forms large 
aggregations, sometimes in small groups. Individuals sometinmes observed to swim upside down. 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It has yet to be documented in the artisanal catch. 

Notes:

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

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Myripristis-vittata.html (28/07/22).
Greenfield, D. & Williams, I. (2016). Myripristis vittata (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T67871116A67871855.en. (28/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Myripristis vittata, Whitetip soldierfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/myripristis-vittata-valenciennes-1831/