SqrlIDF

FAQs about Squirrelfishes and Soldierfishes, Family Holocentridae, Identification

Mystery Squirrelfish 07/20/2008 Hi Bob, <Neale> Can you put a name to this fellow? Obviously a Holocentrid of some type, <Mmm, actually a "look alike" family, the Big Eyes, Priacanthidae... Maybe Pristigenys alta... http://fishbase.org/identification/specieslist.cfm?famcode=303&areacode=> but I'm afraid that's as far as I can go. On sale at a local fish shop here for Â£130, about $250 or so. <Wowzah!> Quite a big beast, about 15 > cm from snout to tail.> > Feel free to use the image on WWM!<Will post, share> > Cheers, Neale <And you, BobF>>

Re: Mystery Squirrelfish 07/20/2008 Hello Bob, <Big N> Thanks for this. Yes, looks like the beast in question. Would I be correct in saying these fish, being deep water/nocturnal fish, require cooler than average conditions? <Mmm, there are some cooler water species... this one is... oh, I see this below> Given the subtropical distribution of this species, I was hazarding a guess around 18-22 C (68-72 F). <Yes> I'm writing up a "shop tour" and my not-too-subtle intention is to make it clear to readers that this fish can't be thrown into the average reef tank but will need its own quarters. Cheers, Neale <Ahh, I do concur, encourage the inclusion of this note. Cheers! BobF>

Squirrelfish What kind of Squirrelfish is a Sargocentron stiniferum? Do you have any pictures of this fish that you can send me? <I think you may mean Sargocentron spiniferum. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/holocent.htm Bob Fenner>

another ID question... How does one tell those damn squirrelfish apart? <Mmm, with keys, comparisons... ref.s of the regions biota: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/holocent.htm Likely H. adscensionis Bob F>
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