Slender Squirrelfish, Neoniphon sammara (Forsskål, 1775)

Introduction

The Slender Squirrelfish is silvery-pink above and silver below. The species is found widely on coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Slender Squirrelfish is silvery-pink above and silver below. It has a red to black spot on each scale and a red stripe along the lateral line. The previous common name, Spotfin Squirrelfish, refers to the large dark red spot at the front of the dorsal fin. The species has a compressed body and a projecting lower jaw. It has a forked caudal finand strong spines in the dorsal and anal fins.

Distribution

The species is found widely on coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north and south to southern Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.