Common Name
Spinycheek Soldierfish
Year Described
Agassiz, 1831
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XII, 13-14
Anal Fin: IV, 9-12
Pectoral Fin: 16-17
Lateral Line Scales: 28-30
Vertebrae: 27 (total)
Gill Rakers: 18-20
Body stout and robust with a large head and eye. Head with strong spines around eye that point backwards. Snout pointed with spines. Strong interorbital groove present. Strong spines and ridges on preopercle and opercle. Rear dorsal, anal, and caudal fins rounded. Last dorsal spine longer than second to last spine. Tail relatively small compared to body. Scales obvious and rough.
Color
Body uniformly bright red, often with paler scale centers. Membranes of spiny dorsal fin red. Second dorsal and anal fin membranes clear.
Size
Maximum size to 20cm SL
Habitat
Inhabits deep reefs and rocky areas from 45-275m
Range
South Carolina to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
References
McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.