Fish / SPECIES GUIDE
Longspine squirrelfish
Candil soldado
Holocentrus rufus
At a glance
Most squirrelfish and soldierfish are roughly 6–14 in.
Surface to 32 m is the Gulf of Mexico range in this account. Occurrence depth is not recommended tackle depth.
Nocturnal feeding is documented; it is not proof of a best angling hour.
29 Caribbean areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Long preopercular spine; the relatively short upper jaw reaches no farther than the middle of the pupil.
- Physical appearance
Brick-red head, whitish cheek bones and red lines along the upper sides.
- Typical size
Most squirrelfish and soldierfish are roughly 6–14 in.
- Maximum size
FAO account maximum: 32 cm standard length, excluding the tail fin. Historical reference value, not a current angling record.
- Diet
Crabs, shrimps, gastropods and brittle stars.
- Behavior
Shelters or remains secretive by day and feeds at night.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found in Puerto Rico. Start on reef edges, ledges, rocky bottom, patch reefs and nearby sand/grass transitions; work the side with moving water and bait. Habitat reference: Shallow reefs with crevices and ledges.
- Habitat
Shallow reefs with crevices and ledges.
- Depth
Surface to 32 m is the Gulf of Mexico range in this account. Occurrence depth is not recommended tackle depth.
- Fishing depth
Start near the bottom or reef edge where the species is observed; adjust until bites show the active level.
- Fishing environments
Shallow reefs with crevices and ledges. This is species-level habitat context, not proof for every linked area.
- Best season
Fish legal open periods and favorable sea conditions; no single month works for every reef species.
- Best time
Nocturnal feeding is documented; it is not proof of a best angling hour.
- Best tides
Moderate moving water is often productive; excessive current may require more weight or a sheltered edge.
- Best weather / conditions
Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Small pieces of shrimp, squid, clam or cut bait are common starting baits for many reef species.
- Best artificial lures
Small jigs, soft plastics, spoons or micro-jigs are common choices; use the smallest lure that reaches the zone.
- Tackle setup
Start with light/medium spinning gear, 10–15 lb line, 15–25 lb leader and a #2–1/0 hook or small jig.
- Hook size
About #4 to 2/0 is a practical starting range for small/medium reef fish; scale to mouth size and bait.
- Line
8–20 lb line is a common light-reef starting range; increase around sharp structure.
- Leader
12–30 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common start.
BigJoe's setup for Longspine squirrelfish
The rod, reel and rig BigJoe would drop on the reef.
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Start where the species is most likely to occur: Shallow reefs with crevices and ledges.
- Rig for the habitat and current: Simple dropper, knocker or light jig rig; keep hardware small and use only enough weight to maintain contact.
- Choose an offering that matches the fish and situation. Natural bait: Small pieces of shrimp, squid, clam or cut bait are common starting baits for many reef species. Lures/alternatives: Small jigs, soft plastics, spoons or micro-jigs are common choices; use the smallest lure that reaches the zone.
- Fish it with this starting approach: FAO documents traps, trammel nets. These include historical commercial or incidental catches; they are not ranked as best or assumed legal locally. Presentation: Use small natural offerings and subtle jig movements; pause often near cover.
- Use timing and water movement as adjustments, not guarantees. Time: Nocturnal feeding is documented; it is not proof of a best angling hour. Tide/current: Moderate moving water is often productive; excessive current may require more weight or a sheltered edge.
- Fishing techniques
FAO documents traps, trammel nets. These include historical commercial or incidental catches; they are not ranked as best or assumed legal locally.
- Catch and release
For an ordinary small fish, minimize handling and air exposure, support its body and use a dehooker. Species-specific hazards take precedence.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Longspine squirrelfish has documented food use in the BigJoe catalog/source set. Freshness matters — keep it on ice, and watch for any toxin or mercury advisory.
- Table quality
Firm, sweet white meat, but the fish is small, spiny and bony. Fried whole until crisp it is a tasty snack; otherwise it goes into the soup pot.
- Cleaning
Keep legal catches on ice.
- Cooking suggestions
General idea: bake a portion and use a thermometer to check 63°C / 145°F. This is not a species-specific recipe.
Clean It & Choose Your Cut
Food safety: Food safety: keep seafood cold, prevent cross-contamination, wash hands and tools, and refrigerate promptly.
Recommended cuts
- Skin-on fillet
- Skinless fillet
- Whole cleaned fish
- Steaks for larger fish
Cleaning steps
- Keep the catch cold from the moment it is legally retained.
- Use a clean, stable cutting surface and a sharp dedicated fillet knife.
- Scale first if cooking the fish whole or keeping skin-on portions and the species has scales.
- For fillets, cut behind the gill plate toward the backbone, then follow the backbone toward the tail with controlled strokes.
- Trim ribs and remove pin bones where present; remove skin only if the recipe calls for it.
- Rinse only as needed to remove visible debris, then pat dry; keep the edible portion cold and cook or refrigerate promptly.
Anatomy varies by species. These are general finfish steps, not a species-specific anatomical guarantee.
How would you like it cooked?
Choose a style and open the full recipe.
Sushi & Japanese Raw/Cooked Options
A fully cooked fish roll with seasoned sushi rice, cucumber and scallion.
Cooked/seared fish served over seasoned rice with cucumber, scallion and sesame.
Eating it raw? Follow FDA raw-seafood safety advice — fresh off the boat isn't enough.
For raw slices, freeze the fish first or use very fresh, well-iced fish.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Keep hands clear of hooks, spines and the mouth. Consult the release guidance and any species-specific warnings before handling.
- Regulations
No species-specific size, bag or season limits are listed here.
- Conservation
Avoid damaging habitat and follow the local rules below. If it's protected, enjoy the sighting and let it be.
Where it's found & local rules
Tap an island for local spots and rules.
Sources & photo credits
Sources
- BigJoe Caribbean species list and local rule sources
- FAO Western Central Atlantic, volume 2, PDF pages 606
- FDA — Selecting and serving seafood safely
- FWC — Fish handling and gear
- Common Caribbean fishing know-how — a good starting point, not a legal rule.
- Smithsonian STRI Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean — Caribbean biology reference system used for cross-checking.
- NOAA Fisheries — current U.S. Caribbean rules/closures · Puerto Rico DRNA — current territorial rules
- FishBase — Holocentrus rufus species record
Other names: No synonyms recorded.
Tips marked as common know-how come from everyday Caribbean fishing. They're a starting point — not a safety check, a permit or a guaranteed catch.