Sargocentron ensifer (Jordan & Evermann, 1903)
Yellow-striped squirrelfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae
Max. size:  23 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 64 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: southern Japan to New Caledonia, Hawaii and Pitcairn.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Body with alternate red and yellow stripes dorsally, and with red and silvery white on side; ventrally, the yellow stripes often as a series of close-set spots, one per scale; head red, an oblique silvery white streak below eye and a vertical one on edge of preopercle; spinous dorsal fin yellow with narrow red margin; white caudal fin with a submarginal red band in each lobe, converging and broadening basally. Five oblique rows of scales on cheek. Body depth 2.5-2.85 in SL; head length 2.6-2.95 in SL; snout length 3.4-3.9 in head length; interorbital width 5.3-6.0 in head length; slightly projecting lower jaw. Maxilla either extending slightly beyond a vertical at front edge of pupil or reaching below center of eye; upper jaw length 2.3-2.65 in head length; premaxillary groove extending to or slightly posterior to a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone rounded; medial margin of nasal bone without spinule; edge of nasal fossa with 1 to 7 spinules; upper edge of suborbital bones below anterior half of eye without a spine or serrae (below posterior half weakly serrated); preopercular spine about 2/3 times in orbit diameter, 4.3-5.3 in head length; 1st and 2nd dorsal spine subequal, usually the 3rd is the longest, 2.15-2.7 in head length; 3rd anal spine 1.55-1.75 in head length. Usually 10 anal soft rays (Ref. 27370).
Biology:  Inhabits deep reefs (Ref. 27370). Benthopelagic in or near crevices and caves (Ref. 58302). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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