21 photos - 4 species
Category Soldierfishes
Introduction
There are 5 genera and almost 50 species.
Soldierfish are nocturnal plankton feeders.
During the day they spend most of their time apparently loitering aimlessly around the reef, often in schools and under overhangs.
Myripristis botche
Blacktip soldierfish or Splendid soldierfish
Maximum length: 20 cm
Depth: 15 - 65 m
A species that lives quite deep, often under 30 metres.
Rarely outside of protective caves and overhangs.
Photo 1 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Myripristis jacobus
Blackbar soldierfish
Maximum length: 21 cm
Depth: 5 - 20 m
Black transverse band behind the head.
Red to silvery-red body with white markings on the tips and at the base of the dorsal fin.
All other fins with white outer edge.
Not shy, rather curious, often stares at divers from holes and crevices, you can approach carefully.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Myripristis murdjan
Pinecone soldierfish
Maximum length: 25 cm
Depth: 2 - 37 m
Bright white fin edges.
Hovers in caves or under slopes during the day.
Night hunter that returns to its hiding place about an hour before sunrise.
Sometimes seen in very large schools.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Category Squirrelfishes
Introduction
There are 3 genera.
Hussar fish are nocturnal. They swim across the reef floor in search of crabs, shrimps and worms.
The fish have a poisonous sting on the gill cover.
Depending on the species, they grow to between 20 and 60 cm in length.
Holocentrus adscensionis
Squirrelfish
Maximum length: 40 cm
Depth: 1 - 15 metres
The front part of their dorsal fin is yellowish in colour.
Its body is reddish with silvery stripes.
It is the largest of the hussar fish.
Not shy, allows close approach.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Holocentrus rufus
Longspine squirrelfish
Maximum length: 32 cm
Depth: 1 - 35 m
The tips of the dorsal fin rays have a triangular pattern.
Reddish body with silvery stripes and spots.
Not shy, allows close approach.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Photos 2 -3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Neoniphon marianus
Longjaw squirrelfish
Maximum length: 18 cm
Depth: 15 - 70 metres
Their body is silvery-red with orange-gold stripes,
their first dorsal fin has white tips and white spots at the base.
Its anal fin is unusually long.
Somewhat shy, withdraws into crevices or holes when approached.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Neoniphon opercularis
Blackfin squirrelfish, Mouth-fin squirrelfish or Clearfin squirrelfish
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 2 - 20 m
Easily recognisable by its beautiful dorsal fin.
Photo 1 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Neoniphon sammara
Sammara squirrelfish, Blood-spot squirrelfish, Slender squirrelfish,
Spotfin squirrelfish, Armed squirrelfish or Javelin squirrelfish
Maximum length: 32 cm
Depth: 2 - 45 m
Inhabits sheltered lagoons and reef tops.
Night hunter, hunts crabs and small fish.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Photo 2 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt
Neoniphon vexillarium
Dusky squirrelfish
Maximum length 18 cm
Depth: 0 - 15 m
The caudal and anal fins have a brown-red to bright red edge.
Dark bronze-red, golden and longitudinal silver stripes on the body.
This shy species is not often seen, although it is common,
always hiding in niches and dark, sheltered areas.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Sargocentron caudimaculatum
Silverspot squirrelfish or Whitetail squirrelfish
Maximum length: 25 cm
Depth: 2 - 50 m
Red body with white tail.
Found in deep lagoons and on steep reef slopes.
Night hunter, hunts crabs and small fish
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Sargocentron coruscum
Reef squirrelfish
Maximum length: 9 - 14 cm
Depth: 1 - 25 m
First dorsal fin is black from the first to the third or fourth fin ray.
Hidden in small niches, difficult to find.
Very shy, difficult to approach.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Sargocentron diadema
Crownned squirrelfish
Maximum length: 17 cm
Depth: 2 - 60 m
Red body with white stripes.
Night hunter, hunts for snails and small crustaceans above the sandy bottom.
Not shy.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Sargocentron spiniferum
Sabre squirrelfish, Giant squirrelfish or Spiny squirrelfish
Maximum length: 45 cm
Depth: 2 - 120 metres
Regularly caught by night fishermen, the fishermen handle the fish
with due care because of the spine.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Sargocentron violaceum
Violet squirrelfish
Maximum length: 27 cm
Depth: 3 - 50 metres
Typical black spots near the tail.
Photo 1 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines