| Family: |
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA to northern South America. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Body slender, sides compressed. Snout spinules prominent, spine extending into the posterior narial opening. White stripes on upper sides narrow, separated by broader dark bands (Ref. 37108). Body with alternate stripes of red and silvery white; spinous dorsal fin red, white at tips, with a large black spot between the first 3 or 4 spines (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabit sandy, rocky and coral bottoms (Ref. 5521). More common on seaward reefs than on protected reefs. Retreat into recesses when alarmed (Ref. 9710). Nocturnal (Ref. 37108). Secretive, found deep in crevices between branches of live corals (Ref. 26938). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 240). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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