Sargocentron is a genus of squirrelfish found in tropical parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with the greatest species diversity near reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Being largely or entirely nocturnal, they have relatively large eyes. Red and silvery colours dominate. The preopercle spines (near the gill-opening) are venomous, and can give painful wounds. Most have a maximum length of 15-25 cm (6-10 in), but S. iota barely reaches 8 cm (3 in), and S. spiniferum can reach approximately 50 cm (20 in).