The Crown Squirrelfish is native to shallow reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.
Squirrelfish are related to Soldierfish; both are mainly nocturnal with big eyes and red colouring.
Those in the squirrelfish family (Holocentrinae) tend to be slimmer (less round) and have horizontal stripes.
Crown Squirrelfish grow to some 18cm long. They have painful, venomous spines on their dorsal fin and
near their gill covers. Diet is zooplankton, small crustaceans and small fish. Although mainly nocturnal, they are often active in the day.
The Hawaiian or Striped Squrrelfish, Sargocentron xantherythrum, endemic to reefs around Hawaii,
looks almost identical. The key visible difference, mainly at night, is that the Crown, above, develops white lines and marks on the top of
its head (hence crown and diadema) and the Hawaiian does not.