Sargocentron diadema

Sargocentron diadema
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Beryciformes
Family: Holocentridae
Genus: Sargocentron
Species: S. diadema
Binomial name
Sargocentron diadema
(Lacépède, 1802)[1]

Sargocentron diadema, known commonly as the crowned squirrelfish, is a member of the family Holocentridae in the order Beryciformes. Squirrelfish in general are large, active, nocturnal fish which are usually red in color.[2]

Distribution

The crowned squirrelfish is commonly found on the reefs of the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Tahiti.[3]

Description

The fish is bright red with thin white lines crossing from the gill cover to the caudal peduncle. The gill cover has two vertical white lines. A third line runs along the upper lip and below the large eye.[3]

In captivity

This species is sometimes kept in aquaria. It is an active, shoaling fish which is kept in large tanks with other individuals of the species. Other species of a similar size can be kept with it, but it may eat smaller fish. It can be sustained on meat-based fish food.[2]

The aquarium is kept between 72 and 78°F (22-26°C) the pH is about 8.1 to 8.4, and the salinity is 1.020 to 1.025.[4]

References

  1. The Taxonomicon
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bailey, M. and G. Sandford. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Aquarium Fish & Fish Care. pg. 246.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mills, D. Eyewitness Handbooks Aquarium Fish: The Visual Guide to More Than 500 Marine and Freshwater Fish Varieties. pg. 284.
  4. Aquatic Community