Bigeye Soldierfish

The Big Eye Soldierfish, Myripristis sp., also known as the Popeye Catalufa Soldier fish, features a vivid red colored body with thin white outline on its finnage. With large, dark eyes, the Big Eye Soldierfish is capable of increased light reception to see in the dark and claims its eyes as its most characteristic feature. As a relatively solitary and shy fish, it can be easily stressed out and be observed making clicking and grunting noises. It should be housed in a tank  with plenty of live rock for hiding places. The Big Eye Soldierfish will eat a carnivorous diet of small inverts (worms, crustaceans, starfish) making it not reef safe. They will also take live and frozen meaty foods. However, one must be careful when handling this species as they have a venomous spine near their gills than can cause irritation if touched. Interestingly, this species is also often observed swimming upside down - this is perfectly normal.