The Sargocentron punctatissimum, like other squirrelfishes, is essentially nocturnal, hiding by day and venturing out to feed at night; S. lacteoguttatum Cuvier is a synonym.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 16 cm
color
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.
This species is commonly seen on rocky shores and coral reefs that are exposed to the force of waves. It is usually found in extremely shallow waters and feeds on creatures that live on the seafloor.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has 11 spines and 12-13 (usually 13) rays, the anal fin has 4 spines and 9 rays, the pectoral fin has 14-16 rays, the body depth is 2.7-3.1 in standard length, the inter-orbital width is greater than the snout length, the nasal fossa does not have spinules, and the preopercular spine is about half the eye diameter.