King soldierbream (Argyrops spinifer)

General data

Main name: King soldierbream
Local names: Longspined seabream, King soldier bream, King soldier bream
Climates: Tropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Africa, Asia
Distribution: Red sea, Indian ocean

Classification

Argyrops spinifer, commonly known as the king soldierbream, is a large species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae. This species is recognized by its deep and strongly compressed body, with a standard length typically between 1.8 and 2 times its body depth. The dorsal fin is supported by 11 to 13 spines, with the first two spines being very short and positioned on the same dorsal pterygiophore, followed by 9 or 10 soft rays. A distinctive feature of this species, shared with Argyrops flavops, is the presence of 4 to 6 very long, filamentous dorsal spines, usually the 3rd to 6th or sometimes extending to the 8th spine. These elongated spines are present in juveniles and subadults and help distinguish these fishes from other members of the genus Argyrops. The anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays.

Adult individuals show further distinctive characteristics. Larger specimens, particularly those with a standard length exceeding 60 cm, often develop a noticeable convex growth on the nape. The general coloration of the body is silvery with a pinkish hue, becoming darker on the head and upper body. The upper margin of the operculum is typically dark red, while the fins are reddish overall, with the pelvic and anal fins appearing paler than the others. Juveniles and subadults display several red vertical bars along their bodies, a pattern that gradually fades as the fish matures. The king soldierbream can reach a maximum recorded total length of about 80 cm, although most individuals are closer to 30 cm in length.

Argyrops spinifer occurs in the Indian Ocean, though its exact distribution can be difficult to define because of similarities with related species and regional forms. It inhabits marine environments at depths ranging from about 5 to 100 meters. Juvenile and subadult fish are usually found in shallower and more sheltered waters, while adults tend to occur in somewhat deeper habitats.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
- Actinistia - Lobe-finned fishes->
- Actinopteri - Ray-finned fishes->
  - Perciformes - Perches->
  - Cypriniformes - Carps->
  - Esociformes - Pikes->
  - Salmoniformes - Salmons and Trouts->
  - Siluriformes - Catfishes->
  - Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes->
  - Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks->
  - Gadiformes - Cods->
  - Anguilliformes - Eels and morays->
  - Clupeiformes - Herrings->
  - Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses->
  - Gobiiformes - Gobies->
  - Mugiliformes - Mullets->
  - Carangiformes - Jacks->
  - Beloniformes - Needlefishes->
  - Labriformes - Wrasses->
  - Scombriformes - Mackerels->
  - Mulliformes - Goatfishes->
  - Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes->
  - Aulopiformes - Grinners->
  - Blenniiformes - Blennies->
  - Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps->
  - Osmeriformes - Smelts->
  - Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes->
  - Cichliformes - Cichlids->
  - Characiformes - Characins->
  - Osteoglossiformes - Bony tongues->
  - Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders->
  - Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads->
  - Gymnotiformes - South American knifefish->
  - Istiophoriformes - Barracudas->
  - Albuliformes - Bonefishes->
  - Lepidogalaxiiformes - Salamanderfishes->
  - Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes->
  - Spariformes - Breams and porgies->
    
    Sparidae - Sea breams->
    
    Diplodus - Sea breams->
    
    Dentex - Dentex->
    
    Sarpa - Dreamfishes->
    
    Lithognathus - Lithognathus->
    
    Sparus - Gilt-head breams->
    
    Oblada - Saddled seabreams->
    
    Pagellus - Pandoras->
    
    Boops - Bogues->
    
    Pagrus - Red porgies->
    
    Spicara - Spicara->
    
    Calamus - Calamus->
    
    Archosargus - Archosargus->
    
    Stenotomus - Stenotomus->
    
    Lagodon - Pinfishes->
    
    Chrysoblephus - Chrysoblephus->
    
    Rhabdosargus - Stumpnoses->
    
    Spondyliosoma - Spondyliosoma->
    
    Acanthopagrus - Acanthopagrus->
    
    Chrysophrys - Chrysophrys->
    
    Amamiichthys - Amamiichthys->
    
    Argyrops - Argyrops->
    
    Taiwan tai (Argyrops bleekeri)
    
    Bluesnout soldierbream (Argyrops caeruleops)
    
    Soldierbream (Argyrops filamentosus)
    
    Yellow-snout soldierbream (Argyrops flavops)
    
    Red Sea soldierbream (Argyrops megalommatus)
    
    Australian soldierbream (Argyrops notialis)
    
    King soldierbream (Argyrops spinifer)
    
    Argyrozona - Argyrozona->
    
    Boopsoidea - Boopsoidea->
    
    Centracanthus - Centracanthus->
    
    Cheimerius - Cheimerius->
    
    Crenidens - Crenidens->
    
    Cymatoceps - Cymatoceps->
    
    Evynnis - Evynnis->
    
    Gymnocrotaphus - Gymnocrotaphus->
    
    Pachymetopon - Pachymetopon->
    
    Parargyrops - Parargyrops->
    
    Petrus - Petrus->
    
    Porcostoma - Porcostoma->
    
    Polyamblyodon - Polyamblyodon->
    
    Polysteganus - Polysteganus->
    
    Pterogymnus - Pterogymnus->
    
    Sparidentex - Sparidentex->
    
    Sparodon - Sparodon->
    
    Virididentex - Virididentex->
    
    Lobotidae - Tripletails->
    
    Lethrinidae - Emperors->
    
    Nemipteridae - Threadfin breams->
    
    Callanthiidae - Splendid perches->
    
    Sillaginidae - Smelt-whitings->
  - Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes->
  - Moroniformes - Temperate basses->
  - Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes->
  - Zeiformes - Dories->
  - Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes->
  - Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes->
  - Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards->
  - Lampriformes - Lamprids->
  - Galaxiiformes - Southern smelts->
  - Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes->
  - Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes->
  - Percopsiformes - Trout-perches->
  - Callionymiformes - Dragonets->
  - Atheriniformes - Silversides->
  - Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels->
  - Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers->
  - Alepocephaliformes - Slickheads and tubeshoulders->
  - Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes->
  - Argentiniformes - Marine smelts->
  - Stomiiformes - Lightfishes and dragonfishes->
  - Ateleopodiformes - Jellynose fishes->
  - Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes->
  - Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes->
  - Polymixiiformes - Beardfishes->
  - Beryciformes - Sawbellies->
  - Trachichthyiformes - Rughies->
  - Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels->
  - Kurtiformes - Nurseryfishes & Cardinalfishes->
  - Synbranchiformes - Swamp eels->
  - Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes->
  - Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses->
- Cladistii - Bichirs->
- Dipnoi - Lungfishes->
- Chondrostei - Sturgeons and Paddlefishes->
- Holostei - Gars and Bowfins->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->

King soldierbream (Argyrops spinifer)

General data

Classification

Taxonomy of Fishes

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