Longjaw squirrelfish (Neoniphon marianus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Neoniphon marianus
- Common name
- Longjaw squirrelfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Holocentridae
- Genus
- Neoniphon
- Size
- 10–23 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Neoniphon marianus reaches 23 cm. Holocentrid with elongated body horizontally striped with thin alternating red and white bands, characteristic long yellow fins (anal and caudal particularly). Large typical black eyes. Lives from 5 to 50 m in caves and overhangs of coral reefs of Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Nocturnal, more discreet than cousins. Often in company of other Holocentridae under coralligenous. Macro photo subject for its distinctive striped pattern.
Photo of Longjaw squirrelfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Longjaw squirrelfish?
- Longjaw squirrelfish (Neoniphon marianus) reaches 10–23 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Longjaw squirrelfish?
- Longjaw squirrelfish is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Longjaw squirrelfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Longjaw squirrelfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Longjaw squirrelfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Holocentridae
- Holocentrus adscensionis - Squirrelfish
- Sargocentron coruscum - Reef squirrelfish
- Myripristis jacobus - Blackbar soldierfish
- Holocentrus rufus - Longspine squirrelfish
- Myripristis vittata - Whitetip soldierfish
- Sargocentron spiniferum - Sabre squirrelfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 276205)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5204754)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia