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 lives in coral reefs in tropical and warm temperate seas and eats zoobenthos.

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.

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.