Sammara squirrelfish (Neoniphon sammara) fish species and information / pictures of Sammara squirrelfish - Neoniphon sammara

Sammara squirrelfish (Neoniphon sammara) fish species information

Scientific Name
Neoniphon sammara

Common Name
Sammara squirrelfish

Biology
This schooling species inhabits seagrass beds and hard-bottomed habitats from the reef flat to depths of 46 m or more on lagoon and seaward reefs. Often found with branching Acropora coral (Ref. 9710). Most common Neophion found in shallow areas (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 30573), small crabs, and shrimps at night. Venomous spine at the corner of its preopercle. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9948).

Classification

Classified By

Forssk?l, 1775

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sawbellies (Beryciformes)

Family

Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes (Holocentridae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, the Ogasawara and Hawaiian islands, south to northern Australia and Lord Howe Island.

Range

30°N - 30°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

46 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 46 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

3.6 s.e. 0.59 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

32.0 cm

Common Length

23.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.5)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 2334)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated