Violet Squirrelfish

Sargocentron violaceum

Also known as: Pink Squirrelfish, Redface Squirrelfish, Red-faced Squirrelfish, Violet Soldierfish, White-edged Squirrelfish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Pink Squirrelfish
Redface Squirrelfish
Red-faced Squirrelfish
Violet Soldierfish
White-edged Squirrelfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016

VenomousKeep your distance

Add a photo

Violet Squirrelfish adult, photographed at KE, Kenya — @designedforx · KE, Kenya · October 20171 / 1

Overview

Found singly during the day, hiding in crevices, and patch reefs, dispersing at night foraging for food, over clearwater lagoons and reef slopes, of fringing reefs. Spines are venomous.
They feed nocturnally on benthic crab and shrimps.

Squirrelfish are nocturnal hunters feeding near the bottom on small fish and swimming crustaceans. During the day they often congregate close to reefs and in caves, sometimes found upside down in caves.
Their colour can change greatly in different lights and if threatened.Almost white in the day and bright red at night.
Some of this family have venomous spines.

How to identify

COLOURS

Behaviour: changes colour hides nocturnal shelters in caves shelters in crevices solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Indo-Pacific
Country only · 1

LIVES IN

Found singly during the day, hiding in crevices, and patch reefs, dispersing at night foraging for food, over clearwater lagoons and reef slopes, of fringing reefs.

RANGE