Common Name
Reef Squirrelfish
Year Described
Poey, 1860
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XI, 11-13
Anal Fin: IV, 8
Pectoral Fin: 12-13
Lateral Line Scales: 39-44
Vertebrae: 27 (total)
Gill Rakers: 15-18
Body oval with a flattened ventrum and convex dorsal profile. Head with small serrations on suborbital but no strong spines. Snout pointed with a convex frontal profile. Nasal bone with spines. Eye large. Preopercle with a strong spine at the angle. Opercle with 2 strong spines and additional serrations on margin. Mouth moderate; reaching middle of orbit. Dorsal fins almost separate with strong notch. Rear dorsal, anal, and caudal fins pointed. Last dorsal spine shorter than second to last spine. Third anal spine strong. Scales obvious.
Color
Body bright silvery with several bright red stripes following scale rows. Head red with silvery stripes on the lower head. Eye red with upper silver stripe running onto lower eye. Spiny dorsal fin bright red with white tips and a basal row of white spots. Area between 1st-3rd dorsal spines black. Rest of fins transparent to pinkish with darker red anterior margins. Three anal spines white.
Size
Maximum size to 13.5cm SL
Habitat
Inhabits shallow coral reefs less than 100m in depth.
Range
S. Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and the entire Caribbean Sea.
References
McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.
Other Notes
Studies have suggested either this genus or Neoniphon for this species.