Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Holocentrus adscensionis
- Common name
- Squirrelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Holocentridae
- Genus
- Holocentrus
- Size
- 15–60 cm
- Depth
- 0–90 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Holocentrus adscensionis reaches 60 cm. Largest Caribbean holocentrid. Dark red body crossed with silvery white longitudinal lines, fully yellow-orange first dorsal (without distinctive white tip of H. rufus). Large typical black eyes. Lives from 0 to 90 m on coral, rocky reefs and caves of Caribbean, tropical Atlantic and even eastern Mediterranean (rare). Nocturnal. More depth-tolerant than H. rufus. Sought-after photo subject for size and bright colors.
Photo of Squirrelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Squirrelfish?
- Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis) reaches 15–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Squirrelfish?
- Squirrelfish is found between 0–90 m deep.
- Is the Squirrelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Squirrelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Squirrelfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Holocentrus
Other species in the family Holocentridae
- Sargocentron coruscum - Reef squirrelfish
- Myripristis jacobus - Blackbar soldierfish
- Neoniphon marianus - Longjaw squirrelfish
- Myripristis vittata - Whitetip soldierfish
- Sargocentron spiniferum - Sabre squirrelfish
- Myripristis murdjan - Blotcheye soldierfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 159378)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5204778)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia