Holocentrinae

United Spine Husar ( Sargocentron spiniferum )

The hussars fish ( Holocentrinae ), also known as squirrel fish, are usually reddish, large-eyed fish with large, clearly visible scales and a forked tail fin. There are three genera.

Features

Hussar fish depending on the type 20 to 60 inches long. The animals are often longitudinally striped. They differ in the lean built body, the pointed head shape and the large spike at the gill cover of their close relatives, the soldier fish ( Myripristinae ). The opercular spines of some Indo-Pacific species of the genus Sargocentron are toxic and can cause painful wounds. In Atlantic species no toxic effect is known. The longest fin spines of the anal fin is usually longer or the same length as the longest fin spines of the dorsal fin. The anal fin has seven to ten soft rays. The swim bladder is tubular and very elongated. In some species it has contact with the skull.

Way of life

During the day they live in caves, crevices or under overhangs in the coral reefs of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific of, at night they are active. They are solitary animals that consume the coalfields and are aggressive towards conspecifics. Similar damselfish Hussars fish can be produced by muscle contractions noise, the swim bladder as an acoustic amplifier serves. You will then be heard when the fish feel vulnerable or defend themselves. Hussar fish hunt ground-dwelling animals such as worms, crustaceans and small fish.

Hussar fish to be kept in larger aquariums since they are rarely larger than 30 inches. You can reach a very old age there.

System

Originally we counted all hussars fish genus Holocentrus. Today there are only two Atlantic species of the genus. The remaining hussars fish among Neoniphon (rather slender forms) and Sargocentron ( hochrückigere forms ), but just these two genera are current phylogenetic studies show that not monophyletic.

• Hussar fish ( Holocentrinae ) Genus Holocentrus Scopoli, 1777. Common Husar ( Holocentrus adscensionis ) ( Osbeck, 1765 ).
• Longspine Husar ( Holocentrus rufus ) ( Walbaum, 1792).