HOLOCENTRIDAE Neoniphon sammara, 15.0 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Neoniphon sammara (Forsskål, 1775) Sammara Squirrelfish D XI, 11-12; A IV, 7-8; P1 13-14; LLp 39-43; GR 5-8 + 8-12. Body moderately elongate. Dorsal profile of head slightly convex; snout pointed; lower jaw projecting when mouth closed. Preopercular spine short; nasal fossa large, without spinules. Last dorsal-fin spine longer than penultimate spine. Scales above lateral line to middle of spinous portion 2.5. Color: pinkish silvery above, silvery below; a dark reddish brown spot on each scale, thus forming longitudinal dark line on body; reddish stripe along lateral line; spinous portion of dorsal fin with a large black spot tinged with red on membranes between first and fourth spines; caudal fin yellowish with a broad red band at margin of lobes; a reddish streak anteriorly in soft dorsal and anal fins; pectoral fins pale pink, pelvic fins white. Size: maximum length about 32 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Hawaii. Remarks: inhabits hard-bottomed habitats from reef flats to depths of 46 m or more on lagoon and seaward reefs. Often found with branching Acropora coral. Feeds on crabs, shrimps and small fishes at night.