Home · Priacanthidae · Big-eye perch
Big-eye perch (Priacanthus tayenus) — Priacanthidae

Big-eye perch

Priacanthus tayenus
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Big-eye perch (Priacanthus tayenus) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The purple-spotted bigeye is a nocturnal reef fish of the bigeye family (Priacanthidae) of Indo-West Pacific waters. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, mostly red body with very large eyes and purple spots on the fins. By day it shelters in coral and rocky areas, sometimes in loose groups; by night it hunts a wide variety of bottom animals. Smaller individuals live closer inshore. The species is harmless to humans and is of commercial value, sold mainly fresh or dried-salted.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big-eye perch?

The Big-eye perch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Big-eye perch live?

The Big-eye perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Big-eye perch get?

The Big-eye perch grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Big-eye perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Big-eye perch is harmless to humans.

Is the Big-eye perch edible?

The Big-eye perch is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Purperstip-grootoog sourced
English name
Big-eye perch verified
Scientific name
Priacanthus tayenus
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Glasseye; Purple spotted bigeye; Purple spotted big-eyed; Purple-spotted big eye; Purplespotted bigeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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
Bodemvissen met klein natuurlijk aas; vooral 's nachts actief rond riffen. sourced
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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