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Size
8 inches (20 cm) -
Diet
Plankton, small shrimp and other crustaceans -
Range
Atlantic Ocean -
Habitat
Shallow coral reefs, rocky reefs and offshore deep waters
Physical Characteristics
- Maximum length of 10 inches (25 cm), but usually does not exceed about 8 inches (20 cm).
- The body of blackbar soldierfish is reddish on the back and upper sides, fading to silver on the underside. Its fins are red with white markings.
- There is a distinctive dark-brown vertical bar behind the operculum.
- Its large eyes aid in finding prey at night.
Animal Fun Fact
Blackbar soldierfish are often seen swimming upside down near rocky and coral reefs throughout its range.
Diet / Feeding
- Diet consists primarily of plankton but will consume small shrimp and other crustaceans.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs in the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to the Bahamas, and northern Gulf of Mexico, including the West Indies and the Caribbean, to the coast of Africa from Ghana to Gabon, including Ascension and St. Helena Islands.
- Found in shallow coral reefs, rocky reefs, and offshore deep waters.
- Preferred depth range is 6-100 feet (2-35 m), but it has been observed offshore to depths of about 330 feet (100 m).
Reproduction & Growth
- Oviparous, or egg-laying species
Conservation Status
- “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- Swims alone or in small groups, occasionally observed swimming upside down.
- Nocturnal
Sources
- iucnredlist.org
- Coral Reef Fishes. Lieske, E. and Myers, R., pg. 146
