The Maldives is home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, and many of its most intriguing species are often overlooked by casual visitors. This article introduces one such reef resident—the soldierfish, a striking nocturnal species found throughout Maldivian waters that truly comes alive after sundown.
The images and video featured here were generously provided by Abdulla Sivad, a skilled Maldivian underwater videographer whose work beautifully captures the hidden activity and personality of the reef. His visual contributions offer a closer look at a species that is most active when the sun goes down, revealing behaviors that many divers rarely get to observe.
Meet the Soldierfish
Soldierfish (Myripristis violacea), known locally as Dhanbodu, belong to the family Holocentridae—a tropical group that includes around 70 species worldwide, with eight recorded from the Maldives. Their characteristic features include large reflective eyes, ideal for navigating the reef after dark, and a blunt snout that gives them a distinctive facial profile.
As noted by Rudie H. Kuiter in his authoritative book Fishes of the Maldives (Atoll Editions, 2014), soldierfish are nocturnal hunters, venturing out at night to feed on large zooplankton such as prawns and crab larvae. During the day, they retreat into caves, crevices, and reef overhangs for shelter.
Daytime Behavior: Life in the Shadows
By day, soldierfish are far more discreet. They gather in:
- Large open caves
- Dimly lit overhangs
- Holes between coral blocks
- Sheltered reef pockets
Some species exhibit the remarkable habit of swimming inverted, with their bellies facing the cave ceiling, while others remain upright. This creates stunning visual contrasts for divers who take the time to shine a light beneath ledges. Their vivid red coloration often appears washed out during the day because blue water absorbs red light, making them seem pale or whitish unless lit by a torch.
Nightfall: Time to Hunt
Once the sun sets, soldierfish emerge from their hiding places and transform into active, efficient hunters. Juveniles, in particular, are extremely secretive and become visible only at night, gliding above corals or close to the seabed.
Most soldierfish inhabit depths of less than 30 meters, though some species prefer deeper reef slopes. Historically, certain soldierfish were incorrectly grouped with squirrelfish, but today the term squirrelfish is reserved for a separate, though related, group.
[Video Clip: A Soldierfish actively swimming out of a reef crevice during a night dive, illuminated by a torch and showing its full vibrant red color.]
Common Soldierfish Species of the Maldives
The Maldives hosts several beautiful and distinctive soldierfish species. The descriptions below draw on Kuiter (2014) and Anderson’s Fishes of the Maldives (Marine Research Centre, 1997)—two of the most respected references for Maldivian marine life.
Splendid Soldierfish
- Bright and bold in deeper waters
- Typically inhabit depths greater than 20 meters and swim freely around large, shelving coral structures.
- In natural daylight, they often appear nearly white with dark fins, as the surrounding blue water filters out the red pigments in their scales.
- Individuals may reach up to 25 cm in length.
Yellowfin Soldierfish
- Easily recognized by its yellow-tinted fins
- Prefers clear-water lagoons and protected reef areas, sheltering beneath overhangs in small groups during the day.
- Usually observed down to depths of about 25 meters.
- Divers can distinguish this species by its red fin spines and yellowish membranes—a key feature described by Kuiter.
- This species can grow up to 30 cm long.
Additional Soldierfish Species
The following soldierfish species are also found across Maldivian reefs, each occupying slightly different niches and depths, adding color and diversity to the ecosystem:
- Shadowfin Soldierfish (Local Name: Hiyani dhanbodu)
- Blotcheye Soldierfish (Local Name: Kothari reendhoo dhanbodu)
- Shoulderbar Soldierfish (Local Name: Fahdhemi dhanbodu)
- Blacktip Soldierfish (Local Name: Kalhu kothari dhanbodu)
- Pinecone Soldierfish (Local Name: Berebedhi dhanbodu)
- Scarlet Soldierfish (Local Name: Ali dhanbodu)
- Violet Soldierfish (Local Name: Vailet dhanbodu)
- Immaculate Soldierfish (Local Name: Dhanbodu)
Why Soldierfish Are Worth Watching
Though they may not receive as much attention as manta rays or parrotfish, soldierfish offer travelers a glimpse into the Maldives’ more mysterious underwater world.
|
Benefit for Travelers |
Description |
|
Perfect for Night Diving |
Soldierfish reveal their true colors and active, efficient behaviors only under torchlight, making them popular targets during night dives. |
|
Indicators of Healthy Reefs |
Large daytime gatherings under overhangs often indicate well-developed coral structures—a sign of a thriving reef ecosystem. |
|
Great Photography Subjects |
Their reflective eyes, vibrant red tones, and structured group behavior make soldierfish particularly captivating through a camera lens. |
A Hidden Gem in Maldivian Waters
The soldierfish family plays an important role in the reef ecosystem. Thanks to the imagery captured by Abdulla Sivad, and the detailed scientific work of experts like Kuiter and Anderson, we are able to better appreciate this fascinating group of reef fish.
Whether you are snorkeling in shallow lagoons or descending into deeper coral caves, keep an eye on the shadows—you just might spot the luminous eyes of a soldierfish watching you back.
Reference: Kuiter, R. (2014), Fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions
Reference: Anderson, R. (1997), Fishes of the Maldives. Marine Research Centre
