Holocentridae

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Holocentridae (squirrelfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Beryciformes) A large family of tropical- to temperate-water, marine fish, all species of which have large eyes, long dorsal fins which are deeply notched, spiny edges on the gill covers, and stongly developed anal-fin spines. The tail fin is deeply forked. They are mostly nocturnal fish, and the body has a reddish colour. One of the more common western Atlantic species is Holocentrus ascensionis (squirrelfish), which may grow to about 35 cm. There are about 70 species, distributed world-wide.

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