Sargocentron punctatissimum (Cuvier, 1829)

English Name: Peppered squirrelfish
Family: HOLOCENTRIDAE
Local Name: Raiykothari raiverimas
Order: Beryciformes
Size: Max. 16 cm
Specimen: MRS/0191/88

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 12-13 (usually 13) rays. Anal fin with 4 spines and 9 rays. Pectoral fin with 14-16 rays. Body depth 2.7-3.1 in standard length. Interorbital width greater than snout length. Nasal fossa without spinules. Preopercular spine about half eye diameter.

Colour: Silvery with slight reddish tinge and bluish iridescence above. Scales usually finely dotted with black. Caudal fin pale red. Spiny dorsal fin pale with red outer margin.

Habitat and Biology: Occurs on rocky shores and coral reefs exposed to wave action. Often found in very shallow waters. Feeds on bottom living animals.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Sargocentron punctatissirnum is, like other squirrelfishes, essentially nocturnal. It hides by day and ventures out to feed at night. S. lacteoguttatum Cuvier is a synonym.