Color Changes Due to Erythrophores in the Squirrel Fish Holocentrus

Abstract

The color changes in Holocentrus ranged from bright red to white and depended upon the expansion and contraction of erythrophores. The change to red occurred in 6 see. and to white in about 19 sec. (at 19[degree]C). Both changes are due to nervous action. There was no evidence! that hydrohumors such as pituitrin and adrenalin produced by the fish and carried in its blood influence the color changes.