Neoniphon argenteus (Valenciennes, 1831)
Clearfin squirrelfish
Neoniphon argenteus
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Holocentrinae
Max. size:  24 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia and Rapa. Throughout Micronesia (Ref. 1602).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Head and body silvery, scales often with blackish spot in centre (Ref. 4201). LL scales with pale red spot and black edges (Ref. 4201). Description: Characterized by body with thin dark red to blackish stripes and dorsal fin translucent without distinguishing marks; body depth 3.1-3.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found mainly around oceanic islands (Ref. 9710). It is an uncommon inhabitant of reef flats, lagoon and semi-sheltered seaward reefs to depths over 20 m. Occurs with N. sammara in coral-rich areas with large staghorn Acropora corals. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 11889).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.