Holocentrus adscensionis
Size: to 12"
Habitat: inlets and rivers, late in the season
Notes: Squirrelfishes are nocturnal - the enormous eye is a dead giveaway. Look for small ones at night in the late summer and early fall in the rivers and inlets. Unfortunately, they are rare visitors to our area.
Lobsters, like most invertebrates, have a much slower nervous system than our own. In tiny creatures, such as insects, this is no great disadvantage, since their "wire runs" ( or nerves ) are so short. However, in bigger invertebrates, this translates into very long reaction times. Therefore, big lobsters have slow reflexes, much slower than even humans. Another common invertebrate trait is a lack of stamina, at least compared to us. In other words, they tire quickly in a chase. This is not to say that they lack tenacity - once they get a good grip on you, they can hold on forever, and even breaking the claw off may not cause it to release.
More: Lobstering - Know Your Foe ...
