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Panamic Soldierfish

Pacific Fish ID

Myripristis leiognathos

Profile view of a reddish Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) with prominent white edges on its fins, swimming past coral.
A Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) with a large dark eye and coppery-red body swimming on a rocky reef in Bahía Solano.
A close-up of a Panamic Soldierfish (Myripristis leiognathos) showing its large eye and textured scales against a blurred reef background.

Adult 

Family: Squirrelfishes & Soldierfishes (Holocentridae)
Size: Up to 18 cm (7 in) | Common: 14 cm
Depth: 3 – 45m (10 – 150ft)
Distribution: Gulf of California to Ecuador (including Galapagos & Malpelo).

Identification:
A fish built for the night, easily spotted by its huge eyes.

  • Color: The body is a metallic copper-red. The key diagnostic feature (visible in your photos) is the distinct yellow or orange edging on the dorsal, anal, and tail fins.
  • The Eye: It has an enormous black eye relative to its body size. This is a specialized adaptation for seeing in low light and at night.
  • Shape: Robust and oval-shaped. Unlike “Squirrelfish” which have a long sharp spine on their cheek, Soldierfish lack this venomous spine.

Behavior:
The shy cave dweller.

  • Daytime: They are nocturnal. During the day, you will find them hovering in loose groups inside caves, under ledges, or deep in the shadows to avoid bright sunlight.
  • Nighttime: At night, they disperse over the reef to hunt for plankton (crab larvae and shrimp) in the open water.

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Behind the Lens

Jalvan

Underwater Photographer & Instructor

Documenting unique marine biodiversity from the Red Sea across the Pacific Ocean. Dedicated to creating a visual catalog of Bahia Solano’s marine life for conservation and research.

Photography: Sony A7C II | Olympus EPL10
Video: Osmo Action 5 Pro | GoPro

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REFERENCES & DATA SOURCES

  • Scientific ID: Verified via FishBase.
  • Field Guide: Reef Fish Identification: Baja to Panama (Humann & DeLoach).
  • Regional Data: Ankla Azul Marine Observation Log (Bahia Solano).

More Than Kicking Your Fins

At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It’s patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano’s wild Pacific.