Page 265 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

SQUIRRELFISH 263

Sargocentron violaceum Sargocentron diadema Neoniphon opercularis
Violet Squirrelfish Crown Squirrelfish Blackfin Squirrelfish

ORIGINS Reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ORIGINS Ranges widely from the Red Sea to the ORIGINS Found throughout the Indo-Pacific region,
including the Maldives, Vanuatu, and Samoa. Hawaiian islands. including the Maldives and Samoa.
SIZE 9 in (23 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE Up to 14 in (36 cm).
DIET Likes crustaceans, such as shrimp. DIET Shellfish and fish. DIET Fresh and thawed invertebrates.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.022–1.025. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.022–1.025. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.022–1.025.
TEMPERAMENT Not suitable for a reef aquarium. TEMPERAMENT Not suitable for mixing with smaller fish. TEMPERAMENT Highly social with its own kind.
Both dorsal The white stripes running along the sides of the Front black dorsal fin
fins erect body help to distinguish the Crown Squirrelfish folded down
from related species. The stripes extend across the
gill covers and around the mouth. These are lively,
active fish and, like other members of the group,
are best kept as a small shoal in a single-species
setup. Relatively subdued lighting above the
aquarium is recommended. A blue fluorescent
night-light will allow you to watch the fish as they
become active after dark. Like other squirrelfish, the Blackfin lives in shoals.
Although a group of squirrelfish in a tank is likely
Squirrelfish generally have a divided dorsal fin, to contain both males and females, it has not yet
with the taller part located close to the caudal fin. been possible to breed squirrelfish in home
In this species, the fins as well as the body are aquariums.They probably need the stimulus of
suffused with violet. Found at greater depths large numbers of their own kind to trigger
than many other reef fish, Violet Squirrelfish spawning. Space is likely to be restricted in the
will tolerate lower water temperatures. They tank, so there will almost certainly be too few fish
will not thrive if the water in the aquarium is in the shoal. Only when the females swell with
too warm, and often become reluctant to feed. eggs is any difference evident between the sexes.

Holocentrus rufus
WHEN RED BECOMES BLACK
Longspine Squirrelfish A distinctive feature of this species is the long rear
part of the dorsal fin. All squirrelfish are well The vivid red colors of squirrelfish make them
ORIGINS Tropical western Atlantic, including the protected against would-be predators by the sharp highly sought after by aquarists, but the real
vicinity of the Bahamas. spines incorporated into their fins. In this particular function of the intense color is to camouflage
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). genus, additional protection is afforded by similar the fish in their natural habitat. Red light does
DIET Meat-based foods. projections on the gill covers. This means that they not penetrate well through water, while blue
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); alkaline need to be caught with care. It is preferable to steer light passes down to the greater depths
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.022–1.025. them into a suitable container, rather than using a inhabited by squirrelfish. The absence of red
TEMPERAMENT Kills invertebrates and small companions. net and risking injuring the fish. light results in the red fish appearing black,
which makes them difficult to spot in the dim
water around the reef base. Squirrelfish and
soldierfish tend to be more active after dark,
so they will not thrive in a brightly lit tank.

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