Squirrelfish

ID points

• Red all over, with large rough scales
• Very large eyes, adapted for activity at night
• Usually a strong spine at the lower rear of the gill cover

Basics

Family

Holocentridae

Length

20–30 cm

Depth

1-100 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Shallow coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Habitat

Reef ledges and caves, active at night

Diet

Small crustaceans

Easily confused with

CardinalfishSmall body and large head; the eye takes up almost half the headAnthiasHovers in schools in the water above reef slopesFlame AngelfishFlame orange-red ground with several vertical black bars on the flanks

Fun fact

Squirrelfish have the largest eyes for their body size of any reef fish. They are strictly nocturnal, sitting motionless deep in reef crevices all day and coming out after dark to hunt crustaceans.