Animal Species:Bigscale Bullseye, Pempheris multiradiata Klunzinger, 1879

The Bigscale Bullseye is found in a range of habitats. It prefers to feed at night, and shelters in caves and ledges during the day.

Bigscale Bullseye at Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Bigscale Bullseye at Jervis Bay, New South Wales
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Big-scaled Bullseye, Common Bullseye, Large-scaled Bullseye

Identification

The Bigscale Bullseye is pale to dark brown or silvery with thick brown stripes along the scale rows. The fins are dusky. Juveniles are paler with black-tipped, yellow pelvic fins. It is a deep-bodied compressed species with a very large eye and a large oblique mouth.

Size range

The Bigscale Bullseye grows to 28 cm in length.

Distribution

It is recorded from southern Australian marine waters from the central New South Wales coast to the south-west coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Pempheris multiradiata

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Bigscale Bullseye specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Bigscale Bullseye is found in a range of habitats from shallow silty estuaries to depths of 30 m on rocky reefs. 

Feeding and Diet

This species usually shelters in caves and ledges during the day, venturing out at night to feed.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Juveniles are often seen in moderate-sized schools, but adults are usually solitary or occasionally in small schools.

Classification

Species:
multiradiata
Genus:
Pempheris
Family:
Pempheridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  2. Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Bigscale Bullseye, Pempheris multiradiata, Pempheridae, orange, yellow, blue, black, white\, normal fish, 10 cm - 30 cm, mottled, marine, adult, huge eyes,