Longspine squirrelfish

Longspine Husar ( Holocentrus rufus)

The Longspine Husar ( Holocentrus rufus ), also called Caribbean squirrel fish, is a fish of the family of the soldiers and hussars fish and the subfamily of hussars fish is assigned. He lives in the tropical western Atlantic from southern Florida via Bermuda, the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies and the northern coast of South America. It occurs up to a water depth of 35 meters.

Features

The basic color of this 30 to 35 centimeters big fish is red with bright stripes. Occasionally, also bright spots are emerging body. Behind the tip of each fin spine of the white, hartstrahligen part of the dorsal fin sits a white triangular spot. The yellow weichstrahlige part of the dorsal fin is pulled forward long. The trailing edge of the jaw extends past the eye center.

Like other hussars fish can also Longspine Husar generate noise. These muscles are contracted, and the swim bladder serves as an acoustic amplifier. You can hear these sounds at risk and when the fish defends itself.

• Fins formula: Dorsal XI/14-16, Anal IV/9-11.

Way of life

The Longspine Husar lives in coral and rocky reefs. The primarily nocturnal species live separately and can be found at cave entrances especially at night she goes through sandy areas and seagrass beds on the hunt. It feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks, brittle stars and small fish.