squirrelfish
Holocentrus adscensionis
A reef fish with nocturnal habits and a reddish color, which hides in coral crevices during the day and comes out at night to hunt.
Also called: mariquita, mariquita-olhão, jaguaraçá, candil, squirrelfish
- maximum
- 61 cm
- depth
- 8–30 m
who is the squirrelfish
A fish of the family Holocentridae (squirrelfishes), reaching 61 cm. It occurs in the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, and also in the eastern Atlantic, from São Tomé and Gabon to Angola, on St Helena and Ascension Island. It lives on coral reefs and nearby bottoms, generally 8 to 30 m deep. During the day it hides in crevices and under coral overhangs. At night it leaves the reef for sand and seagrass to hunt, mainly crabs and other small crustaceans. In fishing it appears on reefs and has minor commercial use.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the squirrelfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- The species can produce sounds.
identification
Dull red or pink, sometimes with spots. The tips of the spiny dorsal fin membranes are reddish or translucent, never whitish. The spiny and soft parts of the dorsal fin almost separate, joined by a low membrane. The upper jaw reaches the rear edge of the pupil. In the Caribbean it differs from Neoniphon coruscum, which has alternating red and silver stripes on the body.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, plus islands in the eastern Atlantic. In Brazil it ranges from Paraíba to Santa Catarina, and also occurs on the reefs of Maranhão and on the oceanic islands (Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, St. Peter and St. Paul Rocks and Trindade).
Habitat: Coral reefs and nearby bottoms, 8 to 30 m deep.
coast
when to fish
best time of day
Nighttime. A nocturnal species: it hides in coral crevices during the day and comes out at night to hunt.
rules for the squirrelfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
The spines of the dorsal fin are sharp; handle with care. There are reports of ciguatera in this species, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh. There are reports of ciguatera, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01585, b = 2.95; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Holocentrus adscensionis (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Holocentrus adscensionisNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
