Sammara Squirrelfish

Neoniphon sammara, also known as the sammara squirrelfish, is a species of squirrelfish that can be found in the 🇮🇳 Indian and 🌊 Pacific Oceans, ranging from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. This fish, primarily active at night, sustains itself by feeding on shrimps, small crabs, and fish. It has the capacity to grow up to 32.0 centimetres (12.6 in) in length, although its average length is closer to 23.0 centimetres (9.1 in). Additionally, this species is referred to by other names such as the blood-spot squirrelfish, slender squirrelfish, spotfin squirrelfish, armed squirrel-fish, or javelin squirrelfish.

Typically, Neoniphon sammara can be found residing in seagrass beds and on hard substrates in reef flats and lagoons. It tends to live solitary lives or in small groups. This fish inhabits depths ranging from 0 to 46 metres (0 to 151 ft). Compared to other species in its genus, it is more commonly observed in shallow waters and often forms associations with Acropora corals, which it utilizes for shelter during the daytime.

While Neoniphon sammara is not widely sought after as a food fish, it is highly popular within the 🇮🇳 Indian aquarium trade. Furthermore, it is commonly employed as bait in tuna fisheries.

Similar to Neoniphon opercularis, Neoniphon sammara possesses a venomous spine located on its preopercle.