Family : Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes) , subfamily: Holocentrinae
Order : Beryciformes  (sawbellies)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Sammara squirrelfish
Fish Name : Neoniphon sammara
Max size : 32.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 0 - 46 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.5)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.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Pinkish silvery above, silvery below; a dark red to black spot on each scale. Reddish stripe along LL (Ref. 4201). Outer margin of caudal lobes and anterior soft rays of dorsal and anal fins reddish; pectoral fins pale pink, pelvic fins white (Ref. 4201).
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)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : venomous , Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990
Coordinator : Randall, John E.
Main Ref : Randall, J.E. and P.C. Heemstra. 1986. (Ref. 4201)

India country information
Common Names : കോല് കടുവ, കൊല് കടുവ  , കൊളിതടുവ, കൊലിതടുവ , Hudubarihi, Kolithaduva, Kolkaduva
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses