In some now obsolete classifications, the species having prominent face stripes—colloquially called foxfaces–are in the genus Lo.
They are found in tropical parts of the
Indian,
Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans, with the greatest
species richness near
reefs in the
Indo-Pacific. Most are found at depths from the shoreline to 100 m (330 ft), but some, notably the members of the
genus Ostichthys, are generally found far deeper. Being largely or entirely
nocturnal, they have relatively large eyes.
During the day, they typically remain hidden in crevices, caves, or under ledges. Red and silvery colours dominate.The
preopercle spines (near the
gill opening) of the members of the subfamily Holocentrinae are
venomous, and can give painful wounds.
Most have a maximum length of 15–35 cm (6–14 in), but
Sargocentron iota barely reaches 8 cm (3 in), and
S. spiniferum and
Holocentrus adscensionis can reach more than 50 cm (19.5 in).
The squirrelfishes mainly feed on small fishes and
benthic invertebrates, while the soldierfishes typically feed on
zooplankton. The larvae are pelagic, unlike the adults, and can be found far out to sea.