Horned Squirrelfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3rd or 4th dorsal spines longest, 1.8-2.0 HL; pectoral rays 13-14 (usually 13); lateral line scales 33-38, scale rows above 2.5; oblique scale rows on cheek 4; gill rakers of first gill arch 5-7 + 9-11; body depth 2.7-3.0 in SL; posterior edge of nasal fossa with 1-6 spinules, 0-1 at anterior edge; upper edge of first suborbital bone with a laterally projecting spine near a vertical at the front edge of orbit, followed by a serrated ridge; preopercular spine 3/4 to nearly equal to orbit diameter, 2.85-3.5 in head length. Colour of body with alternating broad deep red and narrow silvery stripes on body; distinct black spot on middle of caudal-fin base; black marks at base of soft dorsal and anal fins; dark streak near anterior edge of anal fin (Ref. 27370, 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 4; Analsoft rays: 9

Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534). Remain hidden in caves and crevices during daylight and emerge after sunset for nocturnal feeding. Feeds mainly on crustaceans (Ref. 54301).

Inhabits coral-rich areas of outer reef slopes and drop-offs to depths greater than 40 m (Ref. 9710). Hides in caves or beneath ledges by day; forage for food at night, mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Spine of preopercle venomous.

分布於西太平洋區：印尼 (包括明打威群島)、馬來西亞、菲律賓、臺灣、日本土佐灣、索羅門群島與大堡礁等。臺灣分布於北部、東北部、東部及小琉球等海域。

一般以一支釣及延繩釣的方法捕獲。魚肉白，但質地較爛，煮湯時肉易散開且多溶解油質，因此適合抹鹽油煎食用。唯須注意其內臟可能累積熱帶海魚毒。而它的鱗片及棘刺尖利，需小心刺傷。在水族館中也有人看上它鮮紅的體色，將它飼養做為觀賞魚。

體呈橢圓形，中等側扁。頭部具黏液囊，外露骨骼多有脊紋。眼大。口端位，裂斜。下頜不突出於上頜。前上頜骨的凹槽大約達眼窩的前緣稍後方；鼻骨的前緣末端側角處有1個短棘；鼻窩前緣有0-1個，後緣1-6個小刺。前鰓蓋骨後下角具ㄧ強棘；眶下骨的上緣在一鋸齒狀脊的後面有1根側突的小棘。體被大型櫛鱗；側線完全，側線鱗數 40-43，側線至背鰭硬棘中間點之鱗片數 2.5；頰上具 4 列斜鱗。鰓耙數 5-8+11-13=16-21。背鰭連續，單一，硬棘部及軟條部間具深凹，具硬棘 X-I，軟條 12-13；最後一根硬棘短於前一根硬棘。臀鰭有硬棘 IV，軟條 9；胸鰭軟條 13 ；尾鰭深叉形。具寬深的紅色與狹窄的銀白色斑紋交互的體側；背鰭軟條部及臀鰭的基底，以及尾柄上具紅黑色斑塊(其大小時常隨個體或棲息地而有變化)。背鰭的硬棘部紅色至紅黑色，鰭膜具白色區塊；臀鰭最大棘區為紅色至紅黑色；胸鰭基軸無黑斑。

主要棲息於外礁斜坡與峭壁區的珊瑚礁繁盛區域，深度可達 40 公尺以上。白天躲在洞穴中或在岩架之下；晚上出外覓食，主要以底棲的螃蟹與蝦為食。

Sargocentron cornutum, the threespot squirrelfish, is a member of the family Holocentridae native to the western Pacific Ocean from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef. It lives in coral reefs and drop-offs between depths of 6–40 m (20–131 ft). It is a nocturnal predator, feeding on crabs and shrimps by night and hiding under ledges or in caves by day. It can reach sizes of up to 27.0 cm (10.6 in) TL and has a venomous preopercle.

Hides in caves or beneath ledges by day; forage for food at night, mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Spine of preopercle venomous.