Longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Holocentrus rufus
- Common name
- Longspine squirrelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Holocentridae
- Genus
- Holocentrus
- Size
- 15–35 cm
- Depth
- 1–32 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Holocentrus rufus reaches 35 cm. Holocentrid with red to red-white body horizontally striped with fine silvery white lines, yellow first dorsal with distinctive white pointed tip between spiny and soft rays. Large black eyes adapted to nocturnal vision. Lives from 1 to 32 m in caves, overhangs and under coralligenous of Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Nocturnal, comes out to hunt invertebrates and small fish. Sound communications between individuals. Classic photo subject.
Photo of Longspine squirrelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Longspine squirrelfish?
- Longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) reaches 15–35 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Longspine squirrelfish?
- Longspine squirrelfish is found between 1–32 m deep.
- Is the Longspine squirrelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Longspine squirrelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Longspine 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 276189)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5204777)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia