Blotcheye soldierfish

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Caves

Coral reef

Special features

Appearance

With its deep red body that can shimmer slightly depending on the light, the Blotcheye soldierfish is a real eye-catcher. Its most distinctive feature is its fins – all but the dorsal one are lined with a fine white edge, which is also where its German name comes from. Its large, dark eyes are typical for nocturnal fish and give it a watchful, almost curious expression. The relatively large scales give its skin a slightly rough texture, and combined with its vivid color and bright fin edges, it really pops against the reef backdrop.

Natural enemies

Predatory fish

Dangerous/Venomous

The white seam soldier fish is neither dangerous nor poisonous.

Sketch

1. Big dark eye

2. Spiky dorsal fin

Pro tips

You'll often find this species in lagoons and along outer reef slopes, where it feels right at home. Unlike many of its relatives, it doesn’t just stick close to the bottom – it also hunts in open water. Its diet mainly consists of worms, shrimp larvae, and tiny crustaceans.

Most species of these fish sport a striking red scale pattern. They are all nocturnal and have very light-sensitive eyes. However, they can also be easily observed during the day, as they calmly hover in caves, wrecks, or under overhangs, where they are not shy of divers. At night, they become active hunters. Hussar fish prefer hunting bottom-dwelling creatures like crabs, worms, or small fish, while soldier fish tend to feed on zooplankton. Their social behavior varies among species—some are solitary, others form small groups, and some gather in large schools.
The most noticeable differences between Hussar and soldier fish are in their physical features. Hussar fish have a pointed head and a prominent gill cover spine, whereas soldier fish either lack or have a very small gill cover spine, and their heads are rounded.

Text: Carolina Leiter

Pic: Felician Hosp

Illustration: Dive Dict