Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 11-13; Anal spines: 4; Anal rays: 7-9.

Medium-sized holocentrid. Fusiform body with moderately long and slender caudal peduncle. Eye large. Lower jaw projects slightly. Posterior edge of maxilla extends back to 
vertical of midpoint of eye. 5 oblique rows of scales on cheek. Posterior anal spine long and thick.

Colour. Head and body silvery, scales often with blackish spot in centre, except lateral line scales which have a black-edged, pale red spot. Eye with red iris. Operculum 
often with reddish tinge. Spinous dorsal fin translucent with white outer edge. First 2 membranes of dorsal fin with some red colour below the white margin. Anterior soft rays 
of dorsal and anal fins reddish. Caudal fin red upper and lower margins and otherwise transparent or sometimes with a yellow tinge across central rays.

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 24.0 cm TL. 

Habitat and Ecology:

An uncommon fish that inhabits shallow protected reefs, reef flats and shallow lagoons (depth 3-20 m). Occurs with N. sammara in coral-rich areas with large staghorn Acropora 
corals. Feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It has not, to date, been documented in the artisanal catch.  
 

Notes:

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7310 (24/07/22).
Williams, I. & Greenfield, D. (2016). Neoniphon argenteus (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T67871143A67871865.en. (24/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Neoniphon argenteus, Clearfin squirrelfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/neoniphon-argenteus-valenciennes-1831/