Longspine squirrelfish
Sargocentron spiniferum
Sighting evidence at Marigondon Cave, Mactan Island
The reddish glow of squirrelfish massed in the shadowed ceiling of Marigondon Cave is one of the site's signature visuals — dozens of large individuals hang motionless in the low-light zone at 24 to 28 m, their large eyes adapted for dim conditions. As obligate cave and crevice dwellers, squirrelfish are nocturnal predators that emerge to hunt crustaceans and small fish after dark, retreating to the cave interior by day. Their aggregations in the cave are stable across dive seasons and provide a reliable, atmospheric mid-dive scene for underwater photographers.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Longspine squirrelfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.