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Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae

Klunzinger's bullseye

Pempheris klunzingeri
Family: Pempheridae

The Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–50 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coastal waters of southern Australia.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Klunzinger's bullseye is a reef fish of the family Pempheridae from the coastal waters of southern Australia. The species reaches about 18 cm and has a deep, compressed, coppery body with very large eyes, an adaptation to nocturnal life. It forms schools in caves and near rocky reefs. By day it gathers in dense aggregations in dark cavities; at night it swarms out to hunt zooplankton in the water column. Through its large eyes and schooling behaviour the species is a conspicuous sight on southern Australian reefs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Klunzinger's bullseye?

The Klunzinger's bullseye has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very large eyes; forms shoals in caves during the day and hunts plankton at night.

Where does the Klunzinger's bullseye live?

The Klunzinger's bullseye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Coastal waters of southern Australia.

How big does the Klunzinger's bullseye get?

The Klunzinger's bullseye grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Klunzinger's bullseye dangerous to humans?

No, the Klunzinger's bullseye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Klunzinger's bullseye edible?

The Klunzinger's bullseye is not usually eaten.

More photos

Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae — 2
raeka (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) lochiecameron, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae — 4
chrisv78 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Klunzinger's bullseye verified
Scientific name
Pempheris klunzingeri
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Rough bullseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18 verified
Average length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Coastal waters of southern Australia.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton 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; forms shoals in caves during the day and hunts plankton at night. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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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