• Source: Sargocentron spiniferum

Sargocentron spiniferum, common name sabre squirrelfish, giant squirrelfish and spiny squirrelfish, is a large Indo-Pacific species of squirrelfish belonging to the family Holocentridae.




Description


Sargocentron spiniferum is the largest squirrelfish in its range and can reach up to 51 cm (20 in) in length and 2.6 kg (5.7 lb) in weight (the Atlantic Holocentrus adscensionis can surpass the length, but it is slimmer). A more common length for S. spiniferum is 35 cm (14 in). The body is oval and laterally compressed. The head has a pointed snout and large eyes, being largely nocturnal. The basic colour is bright red. It has silver scale margins, a spinous dorsal fin and a large deep red patch just behind the eyes. The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw. It bears a very long preopercle spine (near the gill-opening). The anal and ventral fins are yellowish. The caudal fin is clearly bifid.




Distribution


This species is widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean up to Hawaii, Japan and southern Australia.




Habitat


This squirrelfish can be found in tropical waters on coral reefs, from shallow water to a depth of 120 m (390 ft).




References



Allen, Gerry. 1999. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and south-east Asia. ISBN 0-7309-8363-3
Debelius, Helmut. 1993. Indian Ocean Tropical Fish Guide. ISBN 3-927991-01-5




External links


Australian Museum
Doris
Photos of Sargocentron spiniferum on Sealife Collection

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Sargocentron
• Holocentridae
• Sargocentron spiniferum
• Sargocentron
• List of largest fish
• List of least concern fishes
• Wildlife of Mauritius
• List of fishes of India
• List of reef fish of the Red Sea
• List of fishes of the Coral Sea
• List of marine bony fishes of South Africa
• Holocentridae