Scubareefing

Dive into the Seas and Oceans

Marine Life Identification

Rabbitfishes or spinefoots are perciform fishes in the family Siganidae. The 28 species are in a single genus, Siganus.

 In some now obsolete classifications, the species having prominent face stripes—colloquially called foxfaces–are in the genus Lo.

Squirrelfishes and Solderfishes are usually seen in caves and under ledges, primarily in tropical waters and among the most conspicuous species in the nocturnal reef fish community.

Holocentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, belonging to the order Beryciformes with the members of the subfamily Holocentrinae typically known as squirrelfish, while the members of Myripristinae typically are known as soldierfishes.

In Hawaii, they are known as menpachi.

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.


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