Myripristis kuntee Valenciennes 1831

Body red dorsally, silvery pink below LL; reddish brown bar from upper end of gill opening to base of pectoral fins; fins red except for spinous dorsal which is translucent red basally and broadly yellow distally (Ref. 4201). Has smaller scales than most other similar species and the higher number along the body is quite obvious (Ref. 48635).Description: Characterized by third and fourth anal spines about equal length; axil of pectoral fins without scales; body depth 2.2-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Analspines: 4; Analsoft rays: 14 - 16

Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534); in subtidal reef flats, also in lagoon and seaward reefs below the surge zone to depths of at least 26 m. Often occurs in large aggregations during the day in areas of rich foliaceous or cavernous coral growth (Ref. 30573). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).. A nocturnal planktivore that takes mostly crab megalops and other crustaceans (Ref. 13550). Caught at night (Ref. 30573).

Lives in subtidal reef flats, also in lagoon and seaward reefs below the surge zone to depths of at least 26 m. Often occurs in large aggregations during the day in areas of rich foliaceous or cavernous coral growth (Ref. 30573). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on plankton such as crab larvae. Caught at night (Ref. 30573).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

廣泛分布於印度-太平洋區之溫熱帶海域， 西起東非往南至南非的納塔爾 (除了紅海、亞丁灣、波斯灣及印度沿岸以外)，東至法屬玻里尼西亞與夏威夷群島，北至日本四國的土佐灣，南至澳洲大堡礁與羅得豪島等。臺灣的西南部、南部、東部、北部、東北部、澎湖、小琉球、蘭嶼、綠島等海域均可見。

一般以一支釣及延繩釣的方法捕獲。魚肉白，但質地較爛，煮湯時肉易散開且多溶解油質，因此適合抹鹽油煎食用。唯須注意其內臟可能累積熱帶海魚毒。而它的鱗片及棘刺尖利，需小心刺傷。在水族館中也有人看上它鮮紅的體色，將它飼養做為觀賞魚。

體呈橢圓形或卵圓形，中等側扁。頭部具黏液囊，外露骨骼多有脊紋。眼大。口端位，斜裂；下頜骨前端外側有1對頜聯合齒，上頜沒容納頜聯合齒的深缺刻；頜骨、鋤骨及腭骨均有絨毛狀群齒。前鰓蓋骨後下角無強棘；鰓蓋骨及下眼眶骨均有強弱不一的硬棘。體被大型櫛鱗；側線完全，側線鱗數38-43，側線至背鰭硬棘中間點之鱗片數2.5；胸鰭腋部無小鱗片。背鰭連續，單一，硬棘部及軟條部間具深凹，具硬棘X-I，軟條15-17。臀鰭有硬棘 IV ，軟條14-16；胸鰭軟條15；尾鰭深叉形。體背紅色，側線下的體側為銀粉紅色；腮膜後緣具寬的深紅黑色帶，且延伸至胸鰭基部。背鰭硬棘部之上半部偏黃色；餘鰭的上或下半部紅色，其他部分色淡；另各鰭前緣為白色。

夜行性魚類，白天會單獨或者一大群聚集在珊瑚礁洞內休息睡覺，晚上則會稍為游出礁洞覓食，從水淺的浪拂區到水深55公尺深都是它的活動範圍。以小魚或是甲殼動物為食物，屬肉食性魚類。

Myripristis kuntee is a species of fish in the family Holocentridae It is found over a wide area the Indo-Pacific and is common in some places.

Lives in subtidal reef flats, also in lagoon and seaward reefs below the surge zone to depths of at least 26 m. Often occurs in large aggregations during the day in areas of rich foliaceous or cavernous coral growth. Feeds on plankton such as crab larvae.