Family : Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) , subfamily: Holocentrinae
Order : Beryciformes  (sawbellies)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Blackfin squirrelfish
Fish Name : Neoniphon opercularis
Max size : 35.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5213)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range - 20 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 24°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body iridescent silvery with dark red or black mark on each scale (Ref. 4201). Spinous portion of dorsal fin black; soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins reddish yellow; pectoral fins pink, pelvic fins white (Ref. 4201). Lower jaw strongly projecting.
Biology : Inhabits subtidal reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to depths of at least 20 m. Found singly or in small groups in coral-rich areas (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Large spine at the corner of preopercle is venomous. It raises or flashes its distinctly marked dorsal fin to startle possible predator (Ref. 48635)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : venomous , Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990
Coordinator : Randall, John E.
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses