Last updated on June 30th, 2022 at 06:47 pm
Blotcheye soldierfish, also known as Myripristis berndti, have proven themselves to be excellent additions to home saltwater aquariums and are becoming more and more popular among saltwater fish lovers every day. However, with the increased popularity of any particular animal comes the need for proper care and knowledge on how to keep them happy and healthy in captivity.
The blotcheye soldierfish is a saltwater fish that is native to the Indo-Pacific region, which spans from the Red Sea and East Africa through Southeast Asia, Australia, and Hawaii. This species of soldierfish has very distinctive markings that make it easy to differentiate from other species of soldierfish and even members of its own genus.
Blotcheye soldierfish are great fish to keep in your saltwater aquariums, especially if you enjoy different species of wrasse that inhabit the same areas as this soldierfish. They were first identified by Bleeker in 1857. This fish can grow up to 12 inches long and can live between 10 to 12 years when properly cared for in the right home aquarium environment.
Origin and descriptions
The blotcheye soldierfish is native to several regions of Indonesia, including Sumatra and Borneo. It is typically found in fresh or brackish waters, as well as in saltwater bays and lagoons. The average adult blotcheye soldierfish grows up to 10 inches long, and tends to live in groups of six fish or more.
In addition to an omnivorous diet, they require clean water with low levels of nitrates and ammonia. As such, they should be kept in an aquarium that has been cycled before adding them. They are also territorial animals that tend to fight among themselves; because of their size, only one blotcheye soldierfish should be kept per tank unless it is a large tank.
Species profile
The blotcheye soldierfish belong to the family of fishes known as Holocentridae. They are also commonly misreferred to as reef or foxface fish, with their scientific name translating from Latin as many-eyed fish.
There are approximately 30 species of soldierfish in existence today and they can be found throughout tropical waters around the world. Although most species tend to live in relatively shallow waters, some have been known to inhabit depths up to 50 meters (164 feet).
The blotcheye soldierfish is one of three different types that can be found in shallow waters off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Scientific name
The scientific name of the blotcheye soldierfish is Myripristis berndti
Habitat
The blotcheye soldierfish is typically found in tropical marine waters. This soldierfish naturally inhabits rocky reefs from depths of about 1 meter (3 feet) up to 60 meters (200 feet). They are often observed resting in caves or under ledges.
Because they inhabit shallow waters, they can be easily seen by divers and snorkelers. In fact, many divers consider them among their favorite fish because of their unique appearance and behavior.
Size
The blotcheye soldierfish are medium-sized fish that grow up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length.
Tank size
Due to their size, the minimum recommended tank size for the blotcheye soldierfish is 200 gallons (757 liters).
Tank requirements
A healthy blotcheye soldierfish will live comfortably in a tank that holds up to around 200 gallons of water. It is an ideal fish for beginner aquarists, as it isn’t aggressive toward others and its care requirements are simple. The tank should have plenty of places where your Myripristis berndti can hide from predators, such as driftwood and caves. Live rock will also help keep the environment balanced and provide hiding spots.
Your blotcheye soldierfish needs at least three hours of light per day to thrive, so you may want to invest in a timer if you don’t plan on being home during daylight hours. You’ll need to feed your fish twice daily; flakes or pellets are good options for them.
Tank mates
While Myripristis berndti can be kept with fish of similar size and temperaments, it is recommended that you keep them with other non-aggressive fish. Some of these include peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus), convict tang (Acanthurus triostegus), royal gramma (Gramma loreto), blue chromis (Chromis cyanea), and Mexican hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus).
Breeding
You’ll need to keep at least two blotcheye soldierfish (Myripristis berndti) in order to breed them, though they may be more comfortable with one male and two females. The temperature should be kept between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of 8.0 to 8.4 and dKH of 8-12.
The blotcheye soldierfish are egg-layers; you can expect about 300 eggs per spawning event, which will take place around dusk every three days or so. Once fertilized, these eggs will hatch after some days; fry will begin eating after about five days and grow quickly from there.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Just like most marine fish, blotcheye soldierfish are peaceful. They will only attack when they feel threatened
Blotcheye soldierfish care
Blotcheye soldierfish, also known as striped soldierfish or foxface soldierfish, are fairly easy to care for in an aquarium. They prefer shallow water with sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of rocks and other hiding places. The tank should be set up with either live rock or live sand so that they have plenty of hiding places. These fish are active during daylight hours, but will sometimes remain hidden during these times if there are inadequate hiding places and insufficient light.
What they eat
The blotcheye soldierfish is an omnivore, which means it is capable of eating pretty much anything it finds. It prefers meaty foods like small crustaceans and worms, but it will also eat plant matter when meat is scarce. Make sure to feed your fish several times per day so it gets all the nutrients it needs, particularly during periods of growth.
Lifespan
These fish can live longer than 10 years when well cared for, but they may be less colorful and less active as they age.
Parasites and diseases
A blotcheye soldierfish will only be exposed to parasites or diseases if it’s kept in poor water conditions. This is why it’s essential that you keep your saltwater aquarium clean, and perform regular water changes.
Your fish will also need plenty of room to swim and play around; if there are sharp objects such as rocks, coral, or driftwood in your tank, your soldierfish may get injured and introduce bacteria into its bloodstream. If any of these things happen, call your vet immediately!
Predators
Because of their bright colors, blotcheye soldierfish is extremely easy for predators to spot in their natural habitat. It’s important to make sure that there aren’t any overly aggressive fish hanging around your tank (like puffers) that could be tempted by these delicacies. While blotches won’t typically eat other fish, they might mistake them as food if they can get close enough!
Do they make good pets?
Yes. A blotcheye soldierfish is a great choice if you’re looking for an interesting and friendly addition to your saltwater tank. Just remember that these fish are active swimmers, so they need plenty of room to swim around. If you’re worried about their size, remember that they grow slowly—most adults only reach about 12 inches in length.