Sabre Squirrelfish, Sargocentron spiniferum (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Sargocentron spiniferum
Alternative name/s:
Giant Squirrelfish, Spiny Squirrelfish
Sabre Squirrelfish, <i>Sargocentron spiniferum</i> Click to enlarge image
A Sabre Squirrelfish, Sargocentron spiniferum, at a depth of 15m, Harrier Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, November 1998. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Sargocentron
    Species
    spiniferum
    Family
    Holocentridae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 45 cm in length.

Introduction

The Sabre Squirrelfish is the largest of the squirrelfishes. Its common name refers to the very long preopercular spine. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Sabre Squirrelfish is bright red with white scale margins. It has a deep red spinous dorsal fin, and a vertically elongated crimson blotch behind the eye. The dorsal profile of the head is nearly straight, the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw when the mouth is closed and there is a very long preopercular spine. It is the largest of the squirrelfishes. Its common name refers to the very long preopercular spine.

Habitat

The species lives in caves and crevices on coral reefs.

Distribution

It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the southern Great Barrier Reef.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.