Animal Species:Spotted Bigeye, Priacanthus macracanthus Cuvier, 1829

As its standard name implies the body of the Spotted Bigeye is often covered with blotches. It occurs in warm marine waters of the east-Indo-west-Pacific region.

Alternative Name/s

Brownspot Bigeye, Bullseye Perch, Large-spined Big-eye, Red Bigeye, Red Bullseye, Spotted Big-eye, Spotted-fin Glasseye

Identification

The species is silvery to bright red with yellowish spots on the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins.  The body often has a blotchy pattern. Juveniles have a rounded caudal fin; that of adults has rounded corners.

Size range

36 cm

Distribution

It occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters of the east-Indo-west-Pacific region. In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast, right around the north of the country and south to Victoria.

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

Priacanthus macracanthus

Habitat

Juveniles live in shallow waters of 3 m to 20 m depth.  Adults usually occur in deeper offshore waters in depths to at least 100 m.  Adults are sometimes collected from trawlable substrates but also occur in rocky habitats.

Classification

Species:
macracanthus
Genus:
Priacanthus
Family:
Priacanthidae
Order:
Priacanthidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Spotted Bigeye, Priacanthus macracanthus, Priacanthidae, fishes, ichthyology, red, silver, spots, blotches, marine,