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Holocentriformes (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) >
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) > Holocentrinae
Etymology: Sargocentron: Greek, sargos = sargus + Greek, kentron = sting (Ref. 45335); inaequalis: From the unequal length of the serrae in the series along the posterior edge of the preopercle.
More on authors: Randall & Heemstra.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 10 m (Ref. 7459). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: Chagos Archipelago, Comoro Islands, Seychelles, Reunion. Central Pacific: Line Islands (Kiribati).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27370)
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9. Pale red in color with edges of the scales darker red; a narrow darker red stripe between scale rows of the body; pelvis and spinous dorsal fines red. 4-5 oblique rows of scales on cheek. Body depth 2.5-2.8 in SL; head length 2.5-2.7 in SL; short snout, 4.25-4.85 in head length; interorbital width 4.75-5.0 in head length; lower jaw slightly inferior. Maxilla extending to between verticals at anterior edge of the iris and slightly posterior to center of the eye, upper jaw length 2.5-2.8 in head length; rounded anterior end of nasal bone; moderately large nasal fossa spineless; retrorse spine on nasal bone between the nasal fossa and edge of premaxillary groove; median edge of nasal bone (premaxillary groove margin) with a small recumbent retrorse spine; preopercular spine, 1.5-1.9 in orbit diameter; posterior edge of preopercle with unequal spinules, some 3-4 times longer than adjacent spines, and few in number (21-23, 6.75-7.2 cm SL); longest dorsal spines, 1.85-2.25 in head length; third anal spine 1.6-1.9 in head length. Rounded caudal fin lobes (Ref. 27370).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
An uncommon inhabitant of lagoon reefs (Ref. 9710). Seen only from poison stations (Ref. 9710).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E., 1998. Revision of the Indo-Pacific squirrelfishes (Beryciformes: Holocentridae: Holocentrinae) of the genus Sargocentron, with descriptions of four new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (27):105 p. (Ref. 27370)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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