Spotlight on Soldierfish

Soldierfish (Myripristis spp.)

Soldierfish (Myripristis spp.)

Soldierfish (Myripristis spp.)

Do you want to see a fish you most likely have not seen in Waikīkī yet? I recommend looking under ledges and in caves to spot the nocturnal soldierfish. Soldierfish, commonly referred to as “menpachi” in Hawai’i,  are in the family Holocentridae. During the day, soldierfish will hide in crevices and at night they venture onto the reef to feed on zooplankton and phytoplankton.