FamilyHolocentridaeAlso known asJacob's soldierfishDescriptionA bright red reef fish with distinctive dark black bars behind the eye and operculum, large eyes adapted for low-light conditions, and translucent fins edged in dark pigment. It is nocturnal, feeding on zooplankton and small invertebrates at night while hiding in reef crevices during the day. The prominent large eyes are characteristic of the soldierfish family.HabitatFound throughout the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, typically in reef crevices, caves, and overhangs from shallow water down to about 40 meters depth.Conservation statusLeast ConcernNotesNotably, there is a parasitic isopod (likely a gnathiid or cymothoid isopod) attached to the top of the fish's head, which is a parasitic crustacean commonly found on reef fish. The right side of the image shows what appears to be a brain coral or second fish tail. Image quality is good with well-exposed subject.Creatures detected7 in frame- Blackbar Soldierfishfish
- cymothoid parasitic isopodinvertebrate
- brain coral or fish tail (partially visible)coral
- encrusting coralline algaeplant_algae
- encrusting sponge (orange)invertebrate
- crustose coralline algae on rockplant_algae
- turf algaeplant_algae
