Sealife guideThe blackbar soldierfishMyripristis jacobus

Last updated on 06/10/2024 at 11:44 PM
Taxonomy
  • Common name: Blackbar soldierfish
  • French name: Marignan mombin ou poisson soldat à barre noire
  • Spanish name: Candil colorado,soldado raya negra
  • Scientific name: Myripristis jacobus (Cuvier, 1829)
  • Family name: Holocentridae
  • Order name: Holocentriformes
  • Class name: Actinopterygii
Description
The blackbar soldierfish has a predominantly red body with a broad, oblique black bar at the back of its head, making it easy to recognize. The red color lightens on its belly.
The blackbar soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus)
The blackbar soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) ©  | Dreamstime.com
The edges of its fins, including the tail, are white
The soldierfish is a medium-sized species, averaging around 15 centimeters in length.
Geographic range
The blackbar soldierfish is found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat
The blackbar soldierfish is found in the shallow waters of coral reefs as well as in offshore waters to a depth of around 90 meters.
This species lives mainly in shoals, which can easily number in the hundreds.
Diet
The blackbar soldierfish mainly hunts at night, moving very little during the day, when it takes shelter under rocky overhangs and crevices.
Did you know ?
The blackbar soldierfish is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The blackbar soldierfish appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !
The blackbar soldierfish lives mainly in shoals whose numbers can easily reach a hundred or so individuals.
The blackbar soldierfish lives mainly in shoals whose numbers can easily reach a hundred or so individuals. ©  | Dreamstime.com
Within the same genus
Pinecone soldierfish (Myripristis murdjan)
Pinecone soldierfish
(Myripristis murdjan)
Scarlet soldierfish (Myripristis pralinia)
Scarlet soldierfish
(Myripristis pralinia)
Shadowfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta)
Shadowfin soldierfish
(Myripristis adusta)
Within the same family
Blackspot squirrelfish (Sargocentron melanospilos)
Blackspot squirrelfish
(Sargocentron melanospilos)
Clearfin squirrelfish (Neoniphon argenteus)
Clearfin squirrelfish
(Neoniphon argenteus)
Longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus)
Longspine squirrelfish
(Holocentrus rufus)
Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum)
Redcoat
(Sargocentron rubrum)
Sammara squirrelfish (Neoniphon sammara)
Sammara squirrelfish
(Neoniphon sammara)
Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)
Squirrelfish
(Holocentrus adscensionis)
Tailspot squirrelfish (Sargocentron caudimaculatum)
Tailspot squirrelfish
(Sargocentron caudimaculatum)
Violet squirrelfish (Sargocentron violaceum)
Violet squirrelfish
(Sargocentron violaceum)
Discover also
Banded shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Banded shrimpgoby
(Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Cardinalfish (Apogon imberbis)
Cardinalfish
(Apogon imberbis)
Delicate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus leptosoma)
Delicate ghost pipefish
(Solenostomus leptosoma)
Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus)
Doctorfish
(Acanthurus chirurgus)
Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
Dogtooth tuna
(Gymnosarda unicolor)
Honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra)
Honeycomb grouper
(Epinephelus merra)
Palelipped surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucocheilus)
Palelipped surgeonfish
(Acanthurus leucocheilus)
White-spotted puffer (Arothron hispidus)
White-spotted puffer
(Arothron hispidus)
The marine species from Caribbean sea
Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
Atlantic tarpon
(Megalops atlanticus)
Azure vase sponge (Callyspongia plicifera)
Azure vase sponge
(Callyspongia plicifera)
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)
Elkhorn coral
(Acropora palmata)
Foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus)
Foureye butterflyfish
(Chaetodon capistratus)
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis)
Mutton snapper
(Lutjanus analis)
Red cushion sea star (Oreaster reticulatus)
Red cushion sea star
(Oreaster reticulatus)
Spotted spiny lobster (Panulirus guttatus)
Spotted spiny lobster
(Panulirus guttatus)
Dive centers
Centre de plongée des Ilets
'Les Ilets' dive center
Noa Plongée
Noa dive center
Vous abonnez !

Our latestUpdates

Hvar island
Friday, January 10th 2025
Hvar island
Hvar, a jewel of the Adriatic, captivates with its turquoise waters, wild coves and fragrant lavender fields. Between medieval villages, lively ports, and lush hills, Hvar island offers the perfect mix of relaxation, culture and breathtaking landscapes. Ideal for sun, sea and authentic experiences.
The lemonpeel angelfish
Thursday, January 9th 2025
The lemonpeel angelfish
The lemonpeel angelfish is a small, brightly colored reef fish found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean. It inhabits shallow coral reefs, sheltering among corals and rocky crevices.
The magic of Christmas decorations
Friday, December 19th 2025
The magic of Christmas decorations
Discover Christmas decorations in Florida: giant trees, illuminated palm trees, magical light displays and tropical settings to experience the holiday magic under the sun.
Photo of the Day
Etoile de mer glaciaire (Marthasterias glacialis)
Etoile de mer glaciaire
(Marthasterias glacialis)