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Pacific sweeper (Pempheris otaitensis) — Pempheridae

Pacific sweeper

Pempheris otaitensis
Family: Pempheridae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pacific sweeper (Pempheris otaitensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Pacific sweeper is a sweeper from the central and western Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a deep, rearward-tapering, coppery to silvery body with large eyes. By day it schools densely in caves and under ledges on the reef; at night it spreads out to catch zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific sweeper?

The Pacific sweeper has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pacific sweeper live?

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

How big does the Pacific sweeper get?

The Pacific sweeper grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Pacific sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific sweeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific sweeper edible?

The Pacific sweeper is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische vegervis verified
English name
Pacific sweeper verified
Scientific name
Pempheris otaitensis
Family
Pempheridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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