Longspine Squirrelfish
Holocentrus rufus
- Class
- Ray-finned fish
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 1,554
- Most observed in
- 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) is a silvery red, sea fish with orange-gold body stripes. One of about 150 species of squirrelfish, their most distinguishing characteristics are their large eyes and the long third spine of the anal fin. It is often included in public aquarium displays. The length of the longspine squirrelfish is about 18 cm (7.8 inches). It lives in coral reefs in tropical and warm temperate seas and eats zoobenthos. It is territorial and uses sounds called "grunts" and "staccatos" to defend its crevice, warn of danger and, in groups, intimidate predators such as the moray eel. The longspine squirrelfish is edible and harvested on a small scale.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Longspine squirrelfish”.