The high-hat (Pareques acuminatus) is a small tropical fish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its light-colored body is crossed by several broad dark bands alternating with narrower bands.

It is mainly active at night and stays sheltered during the day, particularly under rocks and overhangs.

The high-hat has a short, deep, laterally compressed body. Its back is strongly arched and its head is low. Its body has 3 to 5 broad dark longitudinal bands separated by white bands.

Its fins are dark, and the tip of its first dorsal fin is edged with a thin white band. Its small mouth is directed downward.

The high-hat averages around 7 inches in length but can reach up to 9 inches.

The high-hat inhabits tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Virginia and the Gulf of Mexico to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. It is notably found in the waters of Florida and the Caribbean Sea, around the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.

The high-hat inhabits coral reefs and coastal bays with bottoms offering plenty of shelter. During the day, it takes refuge among rocks, under overhangs, and in crevices. Juveniles can gather in very shallow water, near reef crevices and sandy bottoms.

The high-hat mainly hunts at night over sandy, muddy, or rubble-covered bottoms. It feeds on crustaceans, marine worms, small bony fish, and zooplankton.

The high-hat is an oviparous species, but its reproduction remains poorly known.

The high-hat is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The high-hat appears in the IUCN Red List since 2020 within the category Least Concern !

Young high-hats can gather in small groups of a few individuals of the same age in very shallow water, under rocky ledges or near sandy areas close to the reef.