Holocentrus adscensionis, otherwise known as the Squirrel fish, was one of the many species of fishes that we saw while snorkeling the reefs in the Florida keys. Squirrel fish are nocturnal, so they are more active during the night than during the day. They usually hide in holes or crevices in the reefs by day, and by night is when they come out to look for food. They also make a series of grunts and clicking noises by vibrating their swim bladders to warn off predators and protect their territory. Squirrel fish are bright red/orange with some white stripes and a yellow dorsal fin. They have very large eyes since they are nocturnal and are between one to two feet long. Squirrel fish are found in tropical water usually in the shallows.
My one and only sighting of the elusive squirrel fish was when we went snorkeling Looe key about 7 miles off shore. It was hiding in a crack in the reef and there were not many other fish around it. I really liked this fish because they are so different looking compared to all of the other fishes we saw.
websites used:
http://science.jrank.org/pages/6422/Squirrel-Fish.html
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/Descript/Squirrelfish/Squirrelfish.html
No comments:
Post a Comment