Sabre squirrelfish
Sargocentron spiniferum
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Sabre squirrelfish
- Scientific
- Sargocentron spiniferum
- Dhivehi
- ރައިވެރިމަސްRaiverimas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 51 cm (fork length); commonly 35 cm; max. published weight 2.6 kg (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives common to 35 cm; max. 45 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 122 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
The largest squirrelfish, reaching about 51 cm: red with silver-edged scales, a solid deep red spiny dorsal fin, orange-yellow soft fins and a crimson patch behind the eye. It hides under ledges by day and hunts crabs, shrimps and small fish at night. The long spine on its gill cover is venomous.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name raiverimas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is often caught on night handlines and is considered good eating despite its bones.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Sargocentron-spiniferum.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=6507&GenusName=Sargocentron&SpeciesNa
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ރައިވެރިމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Holocentridae_-_Sargocentron_spiniferum.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Raiverimas' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Raiverimas'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ރައިވެރިމަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Raverimas' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.