Crown Squirrelfish

The Crown Squirrelfish is a handsome nocturnal reef dweller that features a vibrant red body accented by bold white horizontal stripes running along the flanks, creating a striking visual pattern that stands out even in dimly lit aquariums. Its large, dark eyes are perfectly adapted for low-light hunting, and a prominent spine on the gill cover serves as a defensive weapon. The name 'crown' refers to the spine arrangement on the head, which gives the impression of a small diadem or crown.

In the wild, the Crown Squirrelfish is widely distributed across Indo-Pacific coral reefs, from the Red Sea to Hawaii, at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters. It is a strictly nocturnal species that shelters in caves, under ledges, and within coral formations during the day, often found in small aggregations sharing the same hiding spot. At night, it ventures out across the reef to hunt for small crabs, shrimp, polychaete worms, and other benthic invertebrates, relying on its exceptional night vision and sensitive lateral line system to locate prey.

At a maximum size of about 7 inches, the Crown Squirrelfish is one of the more moderately sized members of its family, making it suitable for aquariums of 75 gallons or larger. It is a hardy, long-lived species that acclimates well to captivity once it adjusts to the aquarium environment. Subdued lighting with ample caves and overhangs is important for its comfort, and moonlight or actinic lighting allows keepers to observe its natural nighttime activity. The Crown Squirrelfish is peaceful toward most tankmates but may consume very small ornamental shrimp.