Squirrelfish

The common squirrelfish, or Holocentrus adscensionis, gets its common name from its big squirrel-like eyes.  This species of squirrelfish can be identified by its yellow front dorsal fin.  The back part of the dorsal fin is elongated and almost translucent.  Its body is a reddish color with light silvery stripes and occasional white patches.  The common squirrelfish is the largest species of squirrelfishes reaching a maximum of 16 inches and averaging about eight to ten inches.

This squirrelfish was getting a cleaning from a cleaner shrimp when I interupted 

All squirrelfish are bony fish and belong to the family Holocentridae, or squirrelfishes.  This family is characterized by a reddish body, "squirrel-like" eyes, and a long, extended rear dorsal fin that is said to resemble a squirrel's tail.  Its members also all have thin, white, and occasionally yellow-gold, body stripes. Many species of squirrelfish produce sounds used for inter- and intra- species communication.  They are territorial animals and often can be seen chasing off other squirrelfish or giving sounds that tell potential intruders to stay out.

The common squirrelfish is a tropical shallow water reef fish that can be found from North Carolina to Brazil, and along the warm waters of western Africa. Most squirrelfish are nocturnal feeders but can often be seen hiding on the reef during the day.  When nightfall comes, the common squirrelfish migrates away from the reef to forage for crabs and shrimp on close-by sand flats and grass beds.  In turn, many other larger fish prey upon the common squirrelfish such as dolphinfish, mutton snapper, yellowfin tuna, and even sea birds if they can get their hands on them.  This specific species spawns year round in tropical waters, but it is restricted to reproducing during the summer months in places like North Carolina and southern South America.

References: "Squirrelfish." Florida Museum of Natural History. Web. 29 Jan. 2011. <http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Squirrelfish/Squirrelfish.html>.; Humann, Paul, and Ned DeLoach. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications, 2002. 236-239. Print.