Tailspot Squirrelfish

Sargocentron caudimaculatum is a reef-associated member of the family Holocentridae.

Description

Coloration: Head and body are red, edges of scales silver; silvery white spot anterodorsally on caudal peduncle (often disappears after death); spinous part of dorsal fin mottled light red, the outer part of the membranes bright red. 4-5 oblique rows of scales on cheek.

Body depth 2.3-2.7 in SL; head length 2.3-2.8 in SL; snout length 3.6-4.0 in head length. Maxilla extending posteriorly from front of pupil to the center of eye; upper jaw length 2.7-2.95 in head length; premaxillary groove reaching about front edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone with 2 short diverging spines; spine at edge of premaxillary groove absent; anterior edge of nasal fossa with 1 (rarely 2) spinule; upper edge of first suborbital bone not serrated.

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9.

It can reach sizes of up to 25.0 centimetres (9.8 in) TL.

Distribution

It is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans from East Africa to Japan and northern Australia and as far east as the Marshall Islands.

Habitat

It lives near reefs, but can also be found in lagoons and drop-offs at depths between 2 and 40 metres (6.6 and 131.2 ft). It is a nocturnal predator, feeding primarily on crabs and shrimps.

Although it is caught commercially and can be found in the aquarium trade, there are no known major threats to this species.