Longspine squirrelfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holocentrus rufus |
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The longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) is a cool fish that lives in the sea. It has a silvery red body with bright orange-gold stripes. This fish is one of about 150 different kinds of squirrelfish.
Squirrelfish are known for their very large eyes. The longspine squirrelfish also has a special long third spine on its anal fin, which is how it got its name! You can often see these fish in big public aquariums. They usually grow to be about 18 centimeters (7.8 inches) long.
Longspine squirrelfish live in warm, tropical coral reefs. They eat small creatures that live on the seafloor. These fish are quite protective of their homes. They even make sounds like "grunts" and "staccatos" to defend their hiding spots, warn others of danger, and even scare away predators like the moray eel. People sometimes catch and eat longspine squirrelfish, but only a small amount.
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What Does It Look Like?
The longspine squirrelfish has a shiny, silvery-red body. It also has pretty orange-gold stripes running along its sides. Like all squirrelfish, it has really big eyes. These large eyes help them see well, especially at night.
Its back fin, called the dorsal fin, stands up tall. The fin on its underside, called the anal fin, has a very long third spine. This long spine is a key way to tell it apart from other fish. It's also why it's called the "longspine" squirrelfish!
There are about 150 different types of squirrelfish. They are usually brightly colored and are most active when it's dark. They live in rocky areas or coral reefs in warm parts of the ocean.
Where Do They Live?
Longspine squirrelfish are ocean fish that make their homes in coral reefs. They can grow up to 18 centimeters (about 7.8 inches) long. You can find them along the southeastern coast of the United States, all the way down to northern South America and Brazil. They also live in places like Bermuda and the West Indies.
These fish like to hide in or near dark spots in the reef. They are very protective of their hiding places. They will use different actions and sounds to defend their territory. You won't often see them in very shallow parts of the reef. They prefer deeper waters, usually between 30 and 70 meters (about 100 to 230 feet) deep.
Young longspine squirrelfish are thin and silvery. They swim in the open ocean and are rarely seen.
What Do They Eat?
Longspine squirrelfish mostly eat small sea creatures that live on the ocean floor. This includes things like crabs, shrimp, snails, and clams. During the day, they usually stay in their territory and guard it. At night, they become more active and go out to find food.
How Do They Make Sounds?
Many types of fish can make sounds, and the longspine squirrelfish is one of them! They make two main kinds of sounds: a single "grunt" and a short burst of sounds called a "staccato."
They use grunt sounds mostly to protect their territory. If another fish gets too close to their home, they might grunt to tell it to back off. The staccato sound is a warning signal. When other longspine squirrelfish hear a staccato sound, they first hide in their crevices. Then, they might come out to see what the danger is.
Sometimes, several longspine squirrelfish will make staccato sounds together to scare away predators like the moray eel. This group behavior is called "mobbing." Scientists have noticed that these fish make more sounds when the sun is setting.
Why Are They Important to Humans?
Squirrelfish are not a major source of food for people, but they are caught in small numbers. In places like Brazil and Venezuela, people catch them using traps, handlines, and nets. These fish are quite tough! They can survive for days in traps and even live in water that is not very clean. Sometimes, they are sold fresh in markets.
You can often see longspine squirrelfish in public aquariums. Their beautiful red color and large, unique eyes make them a popular display fish.
In a study from 1980, longspine squirrelfish were found to be quite tasty! Out of 16 different fish caught off the coast of South Carolina, people who tasted them gave the longspine squirrelfish high marks for being firm. They thought its flavor was average, and it was less flaky than some other fish. It was said to taste similar to the short bigeye fish and the much larger red drum.
