Samurai Squirrelfish

Body with red and white stripes following the scale rows, the red stripes slightly narrower than the white ones (Ref. 4201) (red stripes usually broader for Taiwan and Japan specimens); lateral line scales for northern Philippines, Taiwan and Japan specimens 44-49; 5 oblique rows of scales on cheek; body depth 2.8-3.1 in SL; head length 2.8-3.1 in SL; short snout, 3.65-4.15 in head length; interorbital width 4.3-4.65 in head length; maxilla extending from below front of pupil to below center of eye, upper jaw length 2.6-2.9 in head length; premaxillary groove reaching about a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; rounded anterior end of nasal bone; edge of small nasal fossa without spine; median edge of nasal bone (premaxillary groove margin) without spinule; upper edge of suborbital bones below the eye weakly serrated and without lateral spine; short preopercular spine, about 1/3 orbit diameter, 5.5-8.2 in head diameter; 4th or 5th longest dorsal spines, 1.7-2.2 in head length; third anal spine long, 1.15-1.4 in head length (Ref. 27370).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 4; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

Inhabits rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 9137). A nocturnal species that feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps (Ref. 27370).

Occurs in outer reef slopes. A nocturnal species that feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps. Spine of preopercle venomous. Solitary or in groups (Ref 90102).