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Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) — Pempheridae

Bigscale bullseye

Pempheris multiradiata
Family: Pempheridae

The Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Australia; caves and ledges near rocky reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The common bullseye is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from the waters around southern Australia. The species has a deep, backward-tapering, coppery body with very large eyes and a long anal fin. By day it schools in dense groups in caves and under ledges near rocky reefs. Nocturnally it disperses to catch zooplankton from the water column. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigscale bullseye?

The Bigscale bullseye has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Very large eyes and a copper-coloured body; shoals in caves during the day, plankton-eater at night.

Where does the Bigscale bullseye live?

The Bigscale bullseye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern Australia; caves and ledges near rocky reefs.

How big does the Bigscale bullseye get?

The Bigscale bullseye grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Bigscale bullseye dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigscale bullseye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigscale bullseye edible?

The Bigscale bullseye is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) — Pempheridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) — Pempheridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) — Pempheridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigscale bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) — Pempheridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Julian K. Finn/Museums Victoria (CC BY 3.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigscale bullseye verified
Scientific name
Pempheris multiradiata
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Big-scaled bullseye; Common bullseye; Large-scaled bullseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Southern Australia; caves and ledges near rocky reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the water column sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very large eyes and a copper-coloured body; shoals in caves during the day, plankton-eater at night. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pempheris

More from the family Pempheridae

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