Red fish with silver-edged scales, large eye, and silver fins.

Silverspot squirrelfish

Sargocentron caudimaculatum
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
Diet Crabs and shrimp
Size Length: Up to 10 inches (25 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Lagoons and outer reefs in the Southeast Atlantic, Indian and West-Central Pacific Oceans
Habitat Persian Gulf, Red and Arabian Seas, Indian and west central Pacific Oceans on the edge of reefs near dropoffs and in lagoons

Did you know?

  1. For protection, the silverspot squirrelfish hides a poisonous spine behind its gills. Other fish steer clear of this squirrelfish when looking for a snack.
  2. Squirrelfish emit a distinctive grunting noise, made by contracting the muscles around their swim bladder.
  3. Their distinctive grunt may help them attract food, scare off predators, or communicate with potential mates.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status