Longspine Squirrelfish

Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus)

The Longspine Squirrelfish is a striking sea fish characterized by its silvery-red body adorned with orange-gold stripes. As one of approximately 150 species of squirrelfish, it is distinguished by its large eyes and the notably long third spine of its anal fin. This species is commonly featured in public aquarium exhibits. Measuring about 18 cm (7.8 inches) in length, the longspine squirrelfish inhabits coral reefs in tropical and warm temperate waters. Its diet primarily consists of zoobenthos. Territorial by nature, it uses a range of sounds, including “grunts” and “staccatos,” to defend its hiding place, signal danger, and deter predators like moray eels when in groups. Though it is edible and harvested on a small scale, the longspine squirrelfish remains a notable species in its natural habitat and in aquariums. The longspine squirrelfish boasts a silvery-red body adorned with vibrant orange-gold stripes. Its notably large eyes, a defining trait of squirrelfish, are paired with a prominent rear dorsal fin that stands erect.