HOLOCENTRIDAE


Sargocentron caudimaculatum, 14.9 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Sargocentron caudimaculatum
(Rüppell, 1838)
Silverspot Squirrelfish

D XI, 13-15; A IV, 8-10; P1 13-15; LLp 38-43; GR 5-8 + 11-13.

Body relatively deep. Dorsal profile of head nearly straight. Preopercular spine long. Maxilla extending posteriorly from front of pupil to the center of eye; 5 oblique rows of scales on cheek; 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 or 2 spinules; upper edge of first suborbital bone not serrated. Scales above lateral line to middle of spinous portion of dorsal fin 2.5 Color: head and body red, edges of scales silvery white; silvery white spot dorsally on caudal peduncle at end of dorsal-fin base; spinous part of dorsal fin mottled light red, the outer part of the membranes bright red; in life, posterior third of body may be silvery white. Size: maximum length about 25 cm, commonly to 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from Red Sea and East Africa to Marshall Islands and French Polynesia. Remarks: occurs in outer reef areas, also encountered in lagoons and drop-offs.