| The squirrelfish family includes over 65 species worldwide. Eight species of squirrelfish make their home in Tropical Western Atlantic waters. These species include Longspine, Longjaw, Reef, Dusky, Deepwater, Squirrelfish, Blackbar Soldierfish and Cardinal Soldierfish. |
| Squirrelfish are a family of reddish fish with big squirrel-like eyes and a long rear dorsal fin that sticks up to resemble a squirrel’s tail. All members except the soldierfish have thin white or yellow-gold body stripes. Although many squirrelfish are sighted during daylight hours, this family is mainly nocturnal. Their big eyes are well suited for night vision and their reddish body color make them nearly invisible in low light conditions. At night, squirrelfish like to feed on invertebrates near the bottom. At dusk, many squirrelfish leave the reef to feed on crustaceans in sand and grass beds. |
| The squirrelfish family, Holocentridae, is divided into two sub-families: squirrelfish (Holocentrinae) and soldierfish (Myripristinae). Squirrelfish have a prominent sharp spine between eye and gil cover (opercular). These sharp spines as well as the dorsal spines can be very effective weapons and can inflict painful injuries. The Longspine Squirrelfish is sighted more often than any other Squirrelfish on the reef. |
| Soldierfish differ by not having the enlarged opercular spines and have more anal rays than the Squirrelfish. Blackbar Soldierfish hide in dark recesses and often gather in large schools. They are often found in an upside down position inside caves. |
