Holocentridae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holocentridae |
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| Holocentrus adscensionis | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Beryciformes |
| Family: | Holocentridae J. Richardson, 1846 |
| Subfamilies and genera | |
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Holocentrinae
Myripristinae
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Holocentridae are a family of ray-finned fish. These fish are known as squirrelfish or soldierfish. Squirrelfish belong to the group Holocentrinae. Soldierfish are part of the group Myripristinae. In Hawaii, people call them mempachi or ʻūʻū.
Contents
About Squirrelfish and Soldierfish
These fish live in the warm, tropical parts of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. You can find many different kinds of them near reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. Most squirrelfish and soldierfish live in waters from the shoreline down to about 100 meters (330 feet) deep. However, some types, especially those in the Ostichthys group, prefer much deeper waters.
Night Life of These Fish
Squirrelfish and soldierfish are mostly active at night. This means they hunt and move around when it's dark. Because they are nocturnal, they have very large eyes. These big eyes help them see better in low light. During the day, they usually hide. They might stay in cracks, caves, or under rocky ledges to stay safe.
Colors and Sizes
These fish often have bright red and silvery colors. This helps them blend in with their surroundings or stand out. Most squirrelfish and soldierfish grow to be about 15 to 35 centimeters (6 to 14 inches) long. That's about the length of a ruler! However, some are much smaller, like Sargocentron iota, which is only about 8 centimeters (3 inches) long. Others can get quite large, like S. spiniferum and Holocentrus adscensionis, which can grow to more than 50 centimeters (20 inches).
Special Features and Diet
Squirrelfish have a special feature: their preopercle spines. These are sharp spines near their gill openings. These spines can be venomous and can cause a painful sting if you touch them.
Squirrelfish mainly eat small fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Invertebrates are creatures without backbones, like crabs or shrimp. Soldierfish, on the other hand, usually eat zooplankton. Zooplankton are tiny animals that float in the water.
When these fish are very young, they are called larvae. These larvae float freely in the open ocean, far from the shore. As they grow, they change and settle down to live near reefs or in deeper waters.
See also
In Spanish: Candiles para niños
