Myripristis kuntee
Red-bodied reef fish common on ledges in Sulawesi and Hawaii, comfortable in 25-29C water, seen year-round on tropical reefs.
Deep-bodied and compact at around 18 cm, with an overall brick-red to reddish-orange body that fades paler toward the belly. The most useful mark is a dark shoulder patch (the 'epaulette') just behind the gill cover, paired with a large, dark, glassy eye typical of nocturnal reef fish. Big rough scales give the body a slightly armoured look, and the tail and fins often carry a faint white or pale trailing edge.
Usually found tucked under ledges, in caves, or hovering close to overhangs during the day, often in loose small groups with other soldierfish. It becomes more active after dark, moving out over the reef to feed, and by day tends to ignore divers as long as its shelter isn't disturbed. Expect an uncommon but steady sighting on reef walls and rubble slopes rather than open water.
Those oversized eyes are a giveaway that this is primarily a nocturnal feeder, spending daylight hours sheltering in shaded reef structure before dispersing at dusk to hunt.
No strong seasonal pattern shows up in sightings, and with a comfortable range of roughly 25 to 29C it stays on tropical reefs year-round. Plan around general dive conditions at your chosen site rather than a particular month.
Most reliably logged in Indonesia, especially around Sulawesi, and in Hawaii in the United States, with strong numbers also in the Philippines' Visayas region. Divers also find it consistently in Mauritius around Grand Baie and Coin de Mire, in French Polynesia's Society Islands, and around Vanuatu's Efate and Taiwan's Green Island.
Mapping where Epaulette Soldierfish is logged…
Sulawesi in Indonesia and Hawaii turn up the most sightings, with the Philippines' Visayas, Mauritius, French Polynesia's Society Islands, Vanuatu, and Taiwan also reliable spots.
There's no clear season in the data, and warm reef water of 25 to 29C suits it all year, so you can look for it on any dive in its range.
Look for a red-bodied fish about 18 cm long with a large dark eye and a distinctive dark shoulder patch behind the gill cover, usually seen sheltering under ledges by day.
They typically reach around 18 cm, a compact reef fish rather than anything large.
Yes, their oversized eyes are built for low light. They shelter in caves and under overhangs by day and move out to feed after dark.
Site and sighting data is aggregated from diver logs, iNaturalist and GBIF. For taxonomy and conservation status:
Soldierfish
3,621 sites
