Squirrelfish

Less than a foot.

Family	Holocentridae
Description	Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes
Environment	Marine
Etymology	Greek, holos = whole + Greek, kentron = sharp point
Genus	8
No. of Species	83
Order	Beryciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. A single spine in pelvic fin; soft rays 5-8 (mode 7). Dorsal fin long with 10-13 spines and a notched soft-rayed part with 11-17 rays. Anal fin with four spines and 7-16 soft rays. Forked caudal fin; principal caudal rays 18 or 19. Large and very rough ctenoid scales. Large eyes. Spiny-edged operculum. Vertebrae 26 or 27. Usually reddish in color. Most are nocturnal. Usually cryptic during the day in crevices or beneath ledges of reefs, along with cardinal fishes, bigeyes, and sweepers. Most species in shallow water from shoreline to 100 m depth, rarely over 200 m. Soldiesfish feed mainly on large zooplankton whereas squirrelfish feed on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. Adults usually demersal (remain near shelter on the bottom, Ref. 49162); the larvae are planktonic for several weeks and settle at a size of about 3 cm. Myripristis has been observed spawning in open water, a few days after full moon. About 61 cm maximum length, attained in Sargocentron spinifer. Hardy in aquariums. Important subsistance foodfishes in many areas.

Soldierfish, Candil

Coral reefs; also inshore patches. Occurs in shallow coral reefs, as well as deeper offshore waters. A nocturnal species, hiding in deep crevices or under coral ledges during the day; at night it usually moves over sand and grass beds, taking mainly crabs and other small crustaceans. Capable of producing sounds

A colorful little fish, mostly light red or pink with streaks of white or silver. Fins are spiny and prominent; tail deeply forked. Eye large. Several other species occur in the tropics. Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Tip of membranes of spinous dorsal fin reddish or translucent, not whitish; posterior margin of upper jaw reaching posterior margin of pupil. Spiny and soft parts of dorsal fin nearly separate, but connected by low membrane. Dull red or pinkish, sometimes blotched

Spawning documented as far north as North Carolina in May

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the West Indies and Caribbean shores. Eastern Atlantic: Sao Tome Island and Gabon to Angola and St. Paul's Rocks, St. Helena and Ascension Island
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Would offer any sport at all only on the lightest of spinning tackle. Hits many cut baits.