Squirrelfishes & Soldierfishes
Longspine Squirrelfish
Holocentrus rufus
Species Overview
Slender, bright red or red-striped squirrelfish, sometimes blotched; a conspicuous white spot behind the tip of each dorsal spine; dorsal 11 spines/14–16 soft rays, anal 4 spines/9–11 soft rays.
- Size
- Common 25 cm TL (10 in); max recorded 35 cm TL (14 in) (FishBase); ReefGuide 12–25 cm (5–10 in).
- Depth range
- 0–32 m (FishBase); ReefGuide 1–30 m.
- Habitat
- Clear reefs, near mouths of caves and holes; feeds over sand and grass beds at night.
- Diet
- Crabs, shrimps, gastropods and brittle stars.
- Range
- Throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda, Gulf and Brazil; Bermuda and southern Florida to Brazil.
Ecological role
Nocturnal predator of small benthic invertebrates.
Explore reef conservation
Learn about Caribbean reef habitats, invasive lionfish and the work of the Caribbean Reef Fish Foundation.
TL means total length; SL excludes the tail fin; FL measures to the tail fork. These measurements are not interchangeable.