Squirrel Fish

Squirrel Fish, Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Squirrel fish found in the Pacific Ocean and other islands near Costa Rica are known as belonging to the fish family Holocentridae. These fish have rays on the upper side of their body which gives them a very interesting look. Their range extends to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans along with the Pacific Ocean. They are most usually found in tropical waters and the majority of these squirrel fish are found near the coral reefs of these oceans. Most squirrel fish stay near to the shoreline but some of them can be found at a depth of about 330 feet. Some species of the squirrel fish are found even deeper than 330 feet and reside at the bottom of the ocean. Most of the squirrel fish are considered to be nocturnal by nature and have large, protruding eyes. These eyes help in nocturnal activities of the squirrel fish especially if there are dangerous predators around. In the day time, squirrel fish prefer to hide out in caves and under ledges so as to sleep properly and avoid any activity during the day. At night time, the squirrel fish come out to hunt and feed actively, throughout the ocean although they never stray far from their chosen place to stay. The bodies of the squirrel fish are most usually red in color with overtones of silver. This makes the fish very conspicuous in the water since the colors can be seen shimmering from afar. The squirrel fish possesses preocerple spines near its gill opening. These fish can be highly dangerous because these spines can contain venom enough to kill the most dangerous opponent. The spines present on the upper side of the squirrel fish’s body can cause several sharp, deep and highly painful wounds that do not heal quickly. Some squirrel fish can grow up to 35 cm but another species can only grow up to 8 cm! One more type of squirrel fish called Holocentrus adscensionis can reach lengths to almost 50 cm. The diet of the squirrel fish is made up of small invertebrates.

Another type of squirrel fish called “Sargocentron xantherythrum” or “striped squirrel fish” is usually found in tropical waters off Costa Rica. This squirrel fish is deep red in color with thin white stripes across its entire body. Scuba divers regularly encounter these fish in seas and oceans in tropical areas. These striped squirrel fish are also very popular to keep in aquariums. The striped squirrel fish only reaches about 7 inches in length and its small size plus vibrant coloring is what makes it popular for aquariums in homes and offices. Since almost all squirrel fish are largely nocturnal, even in aquariums big rocks and ledges are requested if the owners want to add striped squirrel fish to their tanks. These fish are not comfortable exposed to sunlight or daylight and prefer hiding out in dark places until evening falls. The striped squirrel fish has small scales on its body that are rougher than most fish; which is why it can snag easily on the netting thrown out by fishermen in the sea.

Video for Squirrel Fish

 

References

http://fishindex.blogspot.com/2009/05/striped-squirrelfish-sargocentron.html

Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). “Holocentridae” in FishBase. October 2012 version.

Allen, Gerry. 1999. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and south-east Asia.

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