All fish / Holocentridae

Blue-lined Squirrelfish

Sargocentron tiere

Also known as blue lined squirrelfish, tahitian squirrelfish, blue-lined squirrel fish, squirrelfish, tiere squirrelfish, ニジエビス, 尾斑棘鳞鱼

A bright red squirrelfish with large eyes and thin iridescent blue lines along its flanks, plus a long spiny dorsal fin. It is nocturnal and spends the day sheltering in caves, and people keep it for its striking colour in large fish-only or reef tanks with plenty of rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped shrimp, squid and other meaty frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii, Marquesas and Pitcairn

Breeding

It spawns in open water and its eggs and larvae drift in the plankton. It has not been bred in home aquariums in any meaningful numbers.

Good to know

It will eat small fish and ornamental shrimps, so only house it with tankmates too big to swallow. The sharp cheek spine and fin spines can cause painful wounds and get caught in nets, so handle it with care.