Sabre squirrelfish - Sargocentron spiniferum
Sabre squirrelfish, Sargocentron spiniferum, common name giant squirrelfish and spiny squirrelfish, is a large Indo-Pacific species of squirrelfish belonging to the family Holocentridae. It is a species linked to the coral reef environment where it occupies a vast range of habitats: from atoll lagoons to reefs exposed to the open sea to coastal ones and even at depth.
Juveniles are found among corals in shallow waters in environments sheltered from the force of the sea. 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). pesce scoiattolo spinoso
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. This species is widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pcific, from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean up to Hawaii, Japan and southern Australia.
This squirrelfish can be found in tropical waters on coral reefs, from shallow water to a depth of 120 m. It is sometimes caught with spearguns while it is not important for commercial fishing except in some subsistence fishing situations. Apart from underwater fishing, which has led to the slight and localized decline of some populations, no other causes of threat appear to be active.
(extract from Wikipedia)
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