Home · Priacanthidae · Bigeye
Bigeye (Priacanthus hamrur) — Priacanthidae

Bigeye

Priacanthus hamrur
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigeye (Priacanthus hamrur) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–250.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The moontail bullseye is a reef fish of the family Priacanthidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a deep, deep-red body with strikingly large eyes and a tail with dark-marked, crescent-shaped lobes, to which the name refers. It lives on outer reef slopes and deep lagoon pinnacles between 8 and 80 metres, sometimes in small groups or schools. By day it stays under ledges or near coral heads; at night it actively hunts small fishes, crustaceans and other zooplankton. The large eyes are adapted to this nocturnal hunting in dim water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye?

The Bigeye has a flattened, disc-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 45 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Bigeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye edible?

The Bigeye is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maanstaart-grootoogbaars sourced
English name
Bigeye verified
Scientific name
Priacanthus hamrur
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Bigeye snapper; Black-spot big-eye; Bullseye; Crescent tail bigeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

Same genus Priacanthus

More from the family Priacanthidae

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