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Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) — Pempheridae

Golden bullseye

Parapriacanthus ransonneti
Family: Pempheridae

The Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–30 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on coastal and outer reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The golden sweeper is a small reef fish of the family Pempheridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 12 cm and has a golden, semi-transparent body with large eyes. It occurs on coastal and offshore reefs, where by day it forms dense schools in caves, under ledges and beneath plate corals. At night it swarms out to hunt zooplankton, especially crustacean larvae and polychaetes. The species has a light organ and is faintly bioluminescent. The large, conspicuous schools are a favourite sight for divers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden bullseye?

The Golden bullseye has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Forms dense shoals in caves during the day; has a light organ and is slightly bioluminescent.

Where does the Golden bullseye live?

The Golden bullseye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, on coastal and outer reefs.

How big does the Golden bullseye get?

The Golden bullseye grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Golden bullseye dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Golden bullseye edible?

The Golden bullseye is not usually eaten.

More photos

Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) — Pempheridae — 2
Courtney Birksmith (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) — Pempheridae — 3
Courtney Birksmith (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) — Pempheridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bryan J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden bullseye (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) — Pempheridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ashton Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden bullseye verified
Scientific name
Parapriacanthus ransonneti
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Golden sweeper; Pigmy sweeper; Ransonnet's bullseye; Rosy sweep; Slender sweeper; Yellow sweeper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.1 verified
Average length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on coastal and outer reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton (crustacean larvae and polychaetes) 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
Forms dense shoals in caves during the day; has a light organ and is slightly bioluminescent. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
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 Parapriacanthus

More from the family Pempheridae

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