The Big Eye Squirrelfish is a striking, nocturnal species known for its brilliant red coloration and—true to its name—its oversized, reflective eyes adapted for low-light environments. During the day, this fish prefers to rest in caves or under ledges, coming out at night to explore and feed. Its shimmering scales and active nighttime behavior make it a fascinating addition to a large, dimly lit aquarium. While hardy and relatively peaceful, it may eat smaller tankmates and should be housed with medium to large non-aggressive fish. Provide plenty of rockwork and hiding spaces to mimic its natural reef habitat.
Species Category: Squirrelfish
Candy Cane Squirrelfish
The Crown Squirrelfish, also known as the Diadema Squirrelfish, is a striking and hardy addition to a saltwater aquarium. Its body is a vibrant red with prominent white stripes running horizontally along its sides. It has large, dark eyes, characteristic of nocturnal fish, and a spiny dorsal fin.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and plenty of rockwork for hiding during the day. While generally peaceful towards other fish, they can be territorial with conspecifics or similar-looking species. They are not considered reef safe as they may nip at invertebrates, including corals and crustaceans.
The Crown Squirrelfish is a carnivore and its diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, frozen shrimp, and other high-quality marine-based preparations. They are nocturnal hunters and are best fed after the lights are out. They can grow up to 7 inches in captivity. There are no readily apparent visual differences between males and females.