Longjaw squirrelfish (Neoniphon marianus)

Scientific name: Neoniphon marianus Cuvier, 1829

The Longjaw squirrelfish (Neoniphon marianus) is a marine fish of the family Holocentridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Florida Keys, USA and Bahamas to Trinidad. Antilles and throughout Caribbean.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9. Body striped with red, yellow and silver; often anterior third of body more yellow than remainder. Third anal ray spine very long and stout. Body slender, spiny dorsal fin with broad yellow band along middle and lower sides.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Neoniphon marianus
Family: Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes)
Order: Beryciformes (Sawbellies)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 18.0
Depth range: 1–70 m (3–230 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 70 m, usually 30 - 60 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Florida Keys, USA and Bahamas to Trinidad. Antilles and throughout Caribbean.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026