TankBud

Crown squirrelfish

Sargocentron diadema

Also known as Diadem squirrelfish, Barred squirrelfish, Crowned squirrelfish, Diadema squirrelfish

SaltwaterFish

Crown squirrelfish (Sargocentron diadema)
Philippe Bourjon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.0–8.4
Adult size
6.7 in
17 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Holocentridae
Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific, sheltering in reef caves and under ledges by day and coming out at night to feed.

Overview

The crown squirrelfish is a striped, nocturnal reef fish for a saltwater tank with plenty of caves. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Squirrelfish are among the noisiest reef fish at night, grunting and clicking with their swim bladders to communicate and warn off rivals. A tank of crown squirrelfish can be surprisingly chatty after the lights go out.

Caring for the crown squirrelfish

Give a crown squirrelfish at least 53 gal (200 L), with caves and overhangs for daytime shelter. Handle it with care, since the sharp, venomous spine on its cheek near the gill cover can deliver a painful jab.

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.0 to 8.4. Feed meaty foods such as mysis, chopped shrimp and marine fish. Offer them in the evening, when it is active.

The crown squirrelfish is mostly peaceful, at least toward fish too big to eat. It is fine alone, and a small group works in a large tank. It leaves corals alone but will eat small shrimp and other tiny crustaceans. That makes it reef safe only with caution around ornamental inverts.

Good to know

Sargocentron diadema is a red-and-white striped member of the family Holocentridae, with a tall spiny dorsal fin banded in red. Its oversized dark eyes are built for hunting in dim light, and they give it a permanently startled look. It also goes by diadem squirrelfish and barred squirrelfish.

In the wild

The crown squirrelfish lives on reefs across the Indo-Pacific. It hides deep in caves and under ledges during the day, then comes out after dark to hunt small crustaceans.

Common questions

What size tank does a crown squirrelfish need?

A crown squirrelfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a crown squirrelfish need?

A crown squirrelfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.

What does a crown squirrelfish eat?

A crown squirrelfish eats meaty foods such as mysis, chopped shrimp and marine fish, ideally fed in the evening. It will also eat small shrimp and other tiny crustaceans.

How big does a crown squirrelfish get?

An adult crown squirrelfish reaches about 6.7 in (17 cm).

Related species