Squirrelfish

Fascinating facts about the Squirrelfish

• A fish that normally hangs out between 8 m and 30 m (26-98 ft) deep can also surprise divers by appearing right at the surface or disappearing down to 180 m (590 ft), showing how flexible its habitat preferences are.
• From the coast of North Carolina all the way down to Brazil, and across the Atlantic to Gabon and Ascension Island, this species spans both sides of the ocean, proving it can thrive in a huge range of tropical waters.
• In 2016 a lone individual was spotted off Malta in the central Mediterranean, and another was recorded near Northern Cyprus in 2023, hinting that the fish occasionally drifts far beyond its usual Atlantic home.
• While some members can grow up to 61 cm (24 in) total length, most adults are only about 25 cm (9.8 in), reminding us that size records often belong to rare outliers rather than the everyday fish.

At a glance

About the Squirrelfish

Holocentrus adscensionis, a member of the squirrelfish family Holocentridae, inhabits the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina, USA to Brazil, throughout the Caribbean Sea in the Western Atlantic, and from Gabon to Ascension Island in the Eastern Atlantic. Sightings have been reported in 2016 off Malta in the central Mediterranean Sea and in 2023 near Northern Cyprus. It is usually found between 8 and 30 m (26–98 ft) below the surface, but can be at the surface or as deep as 180 m (590 ft). It can reach up to 61 cm (24 in) total length, with individuals more commonly around 25.0 cm (9.8 in).

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