Sargocentron caudimaculatum (Rüppell, 1838)
Silverspot squirrelfish
Sargocentron caudimaculatum
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (south to the latitude of the Xora River, South Africa) to the Marshall Islands and French Polynesia, north to Japan, south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Head and body red, edges of scales silver; silvery white spot anterodorsally on caudal peduncle (often disappears after death); spinous part of dorsal fin mottled light red, the outer part of the membranes bright red (Ref. 4201). 4-5 oblique rows of scales on cheek. Body depth 2.3-2.7 in SL; head length 2.3-2.8 in SL; snout length 3.6-4.0 in head length. Maxilla extending posteriorly from front of pupil to the center of eye; upper jaw length 2.7-2.95 in head length; premaxillary groove reaching about front edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone with 2 short diverging spines; spine at edge of premaxillary groove absent; anterior edge of nasal fossa with 1 (rarely 2) spinule; upper edge of first suborbital bone not serrated (Ref. 27370).
Biology:  One of the most common of the squirrelfishes that occurs in outer reef areas, also encountered in lagoons and drop-offs from less than 2 to 40 m; either solitary or in groups (Ref. 27370). Nocturnal, feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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