Fish Identification Photos: Tinsel Squirrelfish, Sargocentron suborbitalis: The Tinsel Squirrelfish is characterized by its prominent preopercular spine and long third anal spine. Its body is silvery with a rosy-violet tint, a characteristic white line below the eye, and a white blotch at the base of the pectoral fin.

The Tinsel Squirrelfish is a nocturnal, solitary fish, hiding in small caves and crevices during the daytime and appearing in the surge zone in the first 25 feet of the water column at night. The Tinsel Squirrelfish's primary food is small crustaceans. It can grow up to 10 inches in length and about 1 pound. The Tinsel Squirreflish can be easily confused with the Panamic Soldierfish, Myripristis leiognathos, which however has a red appearance, larger eyes, and lacks the elongated third anal spine.

The Tinsel Squirrelfish is not found along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, but only in the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, along the coast of mainland Mexico to Guatemala, and around all oceanic islands.

The Tinsel Squirrelfish is one of a group of fishes comprising the Holocentridae Family. In general, they are all reddish in color, nocturnal with large eyes, and have many strong fin spines and prickly scales. They also have seven soft rays in the pelvic fins, a characteristic that distinguishes them from most other spiny-rayed reef fishes. Globally, 65 species have been identified of which only two live in the Sea of Cortez.

Caution: The Tinsel Squirrelfish is perhaps the best protected animal on the globe. It is armed with razor sharp dorsal fins which most anglers are prepared for. However, it also has a massive spike as its third anal ray, and its gill covers as well as the lower rear corner of the cheek also have truly lethal spines. If you get gaffed by a Tinsel Squirrelfish, the blood will immediately gush from the wound and the pain will be intense and last for perhaps six hours.

Tinsel Squirrelfish, Sargocentron suborbitalis: Caught from shore during the last hours of daylight, in 74-degree water in January 2004, in rocky structure 10 yards from shore, utilizing a 15-pound test with a fish finder rig, no swivel, 0.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid, 8 Km north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, on the East Cape Road, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 6 inches. Fish catch courtesy Dr. Mike Browning, Denver. These are the same fish with the first photo taken upon collection and the second photo taken a few hours later. Smaller 2-inch models are ready available from tidal pools at low tide in the same area. Fish identification courtesy Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama. Description and photos courtesy John Snow.