Sargocentron
| Sargocentron Temporal range: Early Eocene to Present
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|---|---|
| Sargocentron spiniferum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Beryciformes |
| Family: | Holocentridae |
| Subfamily: | Holocentrinae |
| Genus: | Sargocentron Fowler, 1904 |
| Type species | |
| Holocentrum leo Cuvier, 1829
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| Synonyms | |
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Sargocentron is a genus of squirrelfish (family Holocentridae) found in tropical parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with the greatest species diversity near reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Being largely or entirely nocturnal, they have relatively large eyes. Red and silvery colours dominate. The preopercle spines (near the gill-opening) are venomous and can give painful wounds. Most have a maximum length of 15–25 cm (6–10 in), but S. iota barely reaches 8 cm (3 in), and S. spiniferum can reach more than 50 cm (20 in).