The longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) is a silvery red, sea fish with orange-gold body stripes.

One of about 150 species of squirrelfish, their most distinguishing characteristics are their large eyes and the long third spine of the anal fin.

It is territorial and uses sounds called "grunts" and "staccatos" to defend its crevice, warn of danger and, in groups, intimidate predators such as the moray eel.

Squirrelfish, belonging to the order of Beryciformes, are brightly colored, medium-sized fish that are active during the night.

Most of the food longspine squirrelfish eat is zoobenthos, including crustaceans, mollusks, and gastropods.

Squirrelfish in general are of low commercial importance, but they are frequently taken on a small scale off of Brazil and Venezuela with traps, handlines, and gillnets.

They are commonly displayed in public aquarium facilities due to their beautiful red coloration and distinctively large eyes.

[8] In a 1980 study, longspine squirrelfish were determined to be quite edible among 16 different species of finfish obtainable off of the South Carolina coast of the United States.