| Family: |
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae |
| Max. size: |
35 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body iridescent silvery with dark red or black mark on each scale (Ref. 4201). Spinous portion of dorsal fin black; soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins reddish yellow; pectoral fins pink, pelvic fins white (Ref. 4201). Lower jaw strongly projecting
Description: Characterized by dorsal fins with white tips and triangular white marks along base; depth of body about 3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits subtidal reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to depths of at least 20 m. Found singly or in small groups in coral-rich areas (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Large spine at the corner of preopercle is venomous. It raises or flashes its distinctly marked dorsal fin to startle possible predator (Ref. 48635). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
