Smallmouth squirrelfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits virtually all coral reef zones . Benthopelagic in or near crevices and holes . Common in thickets of staghorn Acropora or in large Pocillopora heads . Feeds on small crustaceans, worms, and fishes during the night . Spine of preopercle venomous. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Body with red and white stripes of different widths; head reddish above, silvery below; faint red band from eye to angle of preopercle; spinous dorsal white, with a submarginal zone of red . Five oblique scale rows on cheek; body moderately elongated, depth 2.9-3.5 in SL; head length (HL) 2.8-3.4 in SL; snout length 3.9-4.35 in HL; interorbital width 4.15-4.5 in HL; maxillary reaching to about below front of iris, upper jaw length 2.85-3.15 in HL; premaxillary groove reaching to about a vertical at the front edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone rounded; 1-2 spinules at medial margin of nasal bone; small nasal fossa without spinules on its edge (except a 16.3 cm specimen from the Society Islands with 1 spinule); upper edge of suborbital bone weakly serrated, spineless laterally; short preopercular spine 1/4-1/3 orbit diameter, 6.15-7.95 in HL; 3rd-5th dorsal spine longest 1.5-1.95 in HL; extremely long 3rd anal spine 1.0-1.2 in HL .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smallmouth squirrelfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 183 m , usually 1 - 35 m . Tropical; 35°N - 25°S north to the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, south to Austral Islands; throughout Micronesia.
🌿 Ecology
small crustaceans, worms, and fishes during the night (Ref
📐 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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Smallmouth squirrelfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 176 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Smallmouth squirrelfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adioryx microstomus | Günther | 1859 | Synonym |
| Holocentrum bleekeri | Weber | 1913 | Synonym |
| Holocentrum microstoma | Günther | 1859 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus bleekeri | Weber | 1913 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus microstomus | Günther | 1859 | Synonym |
| Sargocentron mitrostomus | Günther | 1859 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 18 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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