Common Name
Bigeye Soldierfish
Year Described
Günther, 1859
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XII, 13-14
Anal Fin: IV, 10-12
Pectoral Fin: 14-16
Lateral Line Scales: 29-30
Vertebrae: 26 (total)
Gill Rakers: 25-35
Body stout and robust with a large head and eye. Head with small serrations on suborbital but no strong spines Snout pointed with ridges. Strong triangular interorbital groove present. Small 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 bluish-silver to pinkish with bright red stripes following scale rows. Spiny dorsal fin pink with paler membranes. Other fins pale pinkish to transparent. Eye bright red.
Size
Maximum size to 22cm SL
Habitat
Inhabits deep reefs and rocky areas on deep slopes from 37-550 m.
Range
Long Island to northern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
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.