This squirrelfish (Sargocentron spiniferum: 40 cms.) is found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. The head is pointed, with large eyes as it is a nocturnal feeder. During the day, it usually rests under outcrops - in this instance a table coral which extends from a colourful group of hard and soft corals. The body has red or pink scales on a yellow background, with a dark red patch behind each eye. There is a venomous spine beside each gill opening. Eating this fish can result in death as it accumulates a toxin in its body which is derived from algae in the food chain. Egyptian Red Sea.

---

Size: 3145px × 3829px
Location: Near Marsa Alam, southern Egyptian Red Sea
Photo credit: © Terence Dormer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: adventure, colourful, coral, corals, creation, diving, eat, egypt, fish, giant, hard, life, marine, natural, poisonous, red, reef, sabre, sargocentron, scuba, sea, selection, soft, spiniferum, spiny, squirrelfish, table, trd5143, underwater