Family: HOLOCENTRIDAE, Soldierfishes, Squirrelfishes

FAMILY HOLOCENTRIDAE

SOLDIERFISHES, SQUIRRELFISHES

Small to medium sized fishes (to 45 cm); body an elongate oval to elongated; compressed; top of head with ridges and canals; external edges of head bones strongly serrated and spiny; eyes very large; mouth oblique, moderately large, upper jaw extendible; teeth small, in bands; dorsal fin XI-XII strong spines, 8-13 rays, strongly notched between two parts; anal fin with IV stout spines, 3rd strong and long; tail base slender; tail fin forked; pelvics I, 7; body scales large, very rough; lateral line complete, 25-57 pored scales; usually red.

During the day holocentrids shelter in caves and under ledges, but emerge from their retreats at dusk and spend the night feeding in the open. Myripristis consume larger planktonic items such as crab larvae, whereas the species of Sargocentron feed mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Although most of the species are small, the flesh is considered good eating.