Squirrel Fish
Scientific name Holocentridae
Squirrelfish are close relatives of soldierfish and share their bright red colouration and large, light-sensitive eyes. They are slightly more robust in body shape and often display bold white or silver stripes along their sides.
Around Koh Tao, squirrelfish are commonly found hiding under coral ledges, inside caves and beneath rocky overhangs between 5–30 metres. During the day, they remain tucked away in shaded areas, often in small groups.
Their large eyes are specially adapted for low-light hunting, giving them excellent night vision. When illuminated by a dive torch, their eyes can reflect brightly.
Though generally shy, they may hover near their shelter rather than retreating fully, allowing careful divers to observe them up close.
Find Squirrel Fish at...
Divemaster's tip
Scan shaded areas carefully — especially under ledges and inside small caves.
On night dives, you may see them swimming more actively above the reef as they hunt.
What do they eat?
Squirrelfish feed primarily on small crustaceans, shrimp and other invertebrates.
By emerging at night to hunt, they help regulate populations of small reef organisms, contributing to the balance of Koh Tao’s coral ecosystem.
