Samurai squirrelfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in outer reef slopes. A nocturnal species that feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Spine of preopercle venomous. Solitary or in groups (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Body with red and white stripes following the scale rows, the red stripes slightly narrower than the white ones (red stripes usually broader for Taiwan and Japan specimens); lateral line scales for northern Philippines, Taiwan and Japan specimens 44-49; 5 oblique rows of scales on cheek; body depth 2.8-3.1 in SL; head length 2.8-3.1 in SL; short snout, 3.65-4.15 in head length; interorbital width 4.3-4.65 in head length; maxilla extending from below front of pupil to below center of eye, upper jaw length 2.6-2.9 in head length; premaxillary groove reaching about a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; rounded anterior end of nasal bone; edge of small nasal fossa without spine; median edge of nasal bone (premaxillary groove margin) without spinule; upper edge of suborbital bones below the eye weakly serrated and without lateral spine; short preopercular spine, about 1/3 orbit diameter, 5.5-8.2 in head diameter; 4th or 5th longest dorsal spines, 1.7-2.2 in head length; third anal spine long, 1.15-1.4 in head length .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Samurai squirrelfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 190 m , usually 5 - 70 m . Tropical; 35°N - 24°S South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
benthic crabs and shrimps
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Japanese soldierfish · Samurai squirrelfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix esquirol samurai |
| 🌍CES | pruhatec samurajský |
| 🇫🇷French | Écureuil samouraï |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Teriebisu · テリエビス |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-esquilo-samurai |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Японская рыба-солдат |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez ardilla samurái |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 瀾公妾 · 金鱗甲 · 銀帶棘鱗魚 · 鐵甲兵 · 鐵線婆 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adioryx ittodai | Jordan & Fowler | 1902 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus ittodai | Jordan & Fowler | 1902 | Synonym |
| Sargocentron ittadai | Jordan & Fowler | 1902 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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