''Sargocentron xantherythrum'', commonly known as Hawaiian squirrelfish or striped squirrelfish, is a member of the

squirrelfish Holocentrinae is a subfamily of Holocentridae containing 40 recognized species and one proposed species. Its members are typically known as squirrelfish and all are nocturnal. All three genera in the subfamily are found in the Atlantic and ''Ho ...

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

. It is known from the

Hawaiian Islands The Hawaiian Islands ( haw, Nā Mokupuni o Hawai‘i) are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost ...

and

Johnston Atoll Johnston Atoll is an unincorporated territory of the United States, currently administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Johnston Atoll is a National Wildlife Refuge and part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine Nation ...

. It is occasionally available in the aquarium trade. It grows to a total length of .

Description

This fish has a red coloration with white stripes running along the body. It has sharp gill spines and rough scales that can cause the fish to be snagged in netting materials.

Distribution and habitat

''Sargocentron xantherythrum'' is usually found in reefs in tropical climates and lives in depths of .

Behavior

This is a nocturnal species that inhabits seaward reefs below the surge zone, and is common near caves and ledges. It feeds mainly on worms, crustaceans and starfish.

References

External links

* xantherythrum Fish of the Pacific Ocean Fish of Hawaii Endemic fish of the United States Fish described in 1903 Taxa named by David Starr Jordan Taxa named by Barton Warren Evermann {{Beryciformes-stub