| Family: |
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae |
| Max. size: |
27 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 92.9 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 6 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Indonesia (including Mentawai Islands), Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Great Barrier Reef. Also reported from Malaysia (Ref. 5756), Tosa Bay, Japan (Ref. 559), and Viet Nam (Ref. 9706). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3rd or 4th dorsal spines longest, 1.8-2.0 HL; pectoral rays 13-14 (usually 13); lateral line scales 33-38, scale rows above 2.5; oblique scale rows on cheek 4; gill rakers of first gill arch 5-7 + 9-11; body depth 2.7-3.0 in SL; posterior edge of nasal fossa with 1-6 spinules, 0-1 at anterior edge; upper edge of first suborbital bone with a laterally projecting spine near a vertical at the front edge of orbit, followed by a serrated ridge; preopercular spine 3/4 to nearly equal to orbit diameter, 2.85-3.5 in head length. Colour of body with alternating broad deep red and narrow silvery stripes on body; distinct black spot on middle of caudal-fin base; black marks at base of soft dorsal and anal fins; dark streak near anterior edge of anal fin (Ref. 27370, 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coral-rich areas of outer reef slopes and drop-offs to depths greater than 40 m (Ref. 9710). Hides in caves or beneath ledges by day; forage for food at night, mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Spine of preopercle venomous. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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