WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Longjaw Squirrelfish

Neoniphon marianus

Also known as: Large-mouthed Squirrelfish, Longspine Squirrelfish, Switchtail

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@fishx6 · Bonaire - Dive Site - Kline 1, Caribbean Netherlands · November 20101 / 14
01

Overview

Found singly or in small schools, during the day hiding near dark recesses, dispersing at night hunting for food, over coral and rocky reefs. This squirrelfish is more common at greater depths than most other squirrelfish.
They feed nocturnally on benthic crustaceans and zooplankton.

Soldierfish are nocturnal hunters feeding in the water column on zooplankton. During the day they often congregate close to reefs and in caves, sometimes found upside down in caves.
They can often be heard by divers with their pops, grunts and clicks.
Their colour can change greatly in different lights and if threatened.
Some soldierfish have venomous spines.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Fins & Tail
white fin tips

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 14
LIVES IN

Found singly or in small schools, during the day hiding near dark recesses, dispersing at night hunting for food, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 14

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderHolocentriformes
    5. familyHolocentridae
    6. genusNeoniphon
    7. speciesNeoniphon marianus (Cuvier, 1829)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Squirrelfishes-Soldierfishes (Holocentridae)