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Bigeye (Cookeolus japonicus) — Priacanthidae

Bigeye

Cookeolus japonicus
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigeye (Cookeolus japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 69 cm.

Length
69 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The longfinned bullseye is a fish of the bigeye family (Priacanthidae) from tropical and temperate seas worldwide. The species grows to about 69 cm and has a deep, deep-red body with very large eyes, characteristic of the nocturnal bigeyes, and elongated pelvic fins. It lives on hard bottoms to about 400 metres. As a nocturnal predator it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods detected with its large eyes in the gloom. The large eyes capture the scarce light of the depths. The longfinned bullseye is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye?

The Bigeye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bigeye live?

The Bigeye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bigeye get?

The Bigeye grows to a maximum of about 69 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Bigeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye edible?

Yes, the Bigeye is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langvin-koningsoogvis sourced
English name
Bigeye verified
Scientific name
Cookeolus japonicus
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Big-fin bigeye; Bulleye verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
69.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Priacanthidae

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