Fish
Sabre Squirrelfish
Sargocentron spiniferum
A large red nocturnal squirrelfish of Indo-Pacific reefs, armed with a long, sharp cheek spine that gives it its sabre name.
Also known as sabel- soldaat
- Habitat
- Coral and rocky reefs
The sabre squirrelfish is a big-eyed, reddish squirrelfish first described from the Red Sea and found widely across the Indo-Pacific. Like others in the group it is a night hunter, sheltering in caves and overhangs on the reef by day and emerging after dark to feed.
Its most notable feature is the long, forward-pointing spine on the cheek, sharp enough to warrant care in handling. As with all squirrelfishes it has the large eyes typical of a fish that lives its active life at night.