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Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) — Lethrinidae

Grey large-eye bream

Gymnocranius griseus
Family: Lethrinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15–80 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The grey large-eye bream is an emperor relative from the Indo-West Pacific, from southern Japan to the Indo-Malaysian region. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with large eyes. As a bottom-dweller it stays in sheltered coastal bays and on deeper sand and mud slopes between 15 and 80 metres and feeds on bottom invertebrates. It is a valued food and sport fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grey large-eye bream?

The Grey large-eye bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep silvery-grey body with large eyes; bottom forager

Where does the Grey large-eye bream live?

The Grey large-eye bream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Grey large-eye bream get?

The Grey large-eye bream grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Grey large-eye bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Grey large-eye bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Grey large-eye bream edible?

Yes, the Grey large-eye bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) — Lethrinidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) — Lethrinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) an2mc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) — Lethrinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grey large-eye bream (Gymnocranius griseus) — Lethrinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Francesco Ricciardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Grey large-eye bream verified
Scientific name
Gymnocranius griseus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Gingko; Gingko fish; Gray emperor; Gray large-eye bream; Barred large-eye bream; Grey emperor; Grey barenose; Grey seabream; Large-eye bream; Nakedhead large-eye bream; Naked-head seabream; Naked-headed large eyed bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35 verified
Average length (cm)
25 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
80 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-foraging bigeye bream; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Deep silvery-grey body with large eyes; bottom forager sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with bait sourced
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gymnocranius

More from the family Lethrinidae

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