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Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) — Holocentridae

Hoseye conga

Neoniphon marianus
Family: Holocentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) is a saltwater fish of the family Holocentridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; deeper coral reef (30-60 m).
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The longjaw squirrelfish is a squirrelfish of the family Holocentridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a slender, reddish body with yellowish longitudinal stripes and large eyes. It is rarely seen in shallow water but is the most common squirrelfish on deeper reef, between 30 and 60 metres or more. By day it shelters under ledges; at night it hunts crustaceans and other small invertebrates. On the gill cover is a sharp spine that can cause cuts; therefore handle the fish with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hoseye conga?

The Hoseye conga has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Large eyes and a sharp spine on the operculum; most common squirrelfish on deeper reef.

Where does the Hoseye conga live?

The Hoseye conga lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; deeper coral reef (30-60 m).

How big does the Hoseye conga get?

The Hoseye conga grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Hoseye conga dangerous to humans?

No, the Hoseye conga is harmless to humans. The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases.

Is the Hoseye conga edible?

The Hoseye conga is rarely eaten.

More photos

Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) — Holocentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) — Holocentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Dan Schofield (CC BY 4.0)
Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) — Holocentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Hoseye conga (Neoniphon marianus) — Holocentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Carmelo López Abad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hoseye conga verified
Scientific name
Neoniphon marianus
Family
Holocentridae
Other names
Large-mouthed squirrelfish; Longjaw Squirrelfish; Longjaw squirrelfish; Longspine squirrelfish; Marian; Switchtail verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; deeper coral reef (30-60 m). inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large eyes and a sharp spine on the operculum; most common squirrelfish on deeper reef. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Neoniphon

More from the family Holocentridae

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