Squirrelfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in shallow coral reefs, as well as deeper offshore waters . A nocturnal species, hiding in deep crevices or under coral ledges during the day; at night it usually moves over sand and grass beds, taking mainly crabs and other small crustaceans . Capable of producing sounds . Spawning documented as far north as North Carolina in May . Marketed fresh .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Tip of membranes of spinous dorsal fin reddish or translucent, not whitish; posterior margin of upper jaw reaching posterior margin of pupil . Spiny and soft parts of dorsal fin nearly separate, but connected by low membrane . Dull red or pinkish, sometimes blotched .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Squirrelfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 180 m , usually 8 - 30 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 25°S, 97°W - 13°E Central Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the West Indies and Caribbean shores (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 318 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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