Blacktip Bullseye, Pempheris affinis McCulloch, 1911

Scientific name: Pempheris affinis
Alternative name/s:
Black-tipped Bullseye
Blacktip Bullseye Click to enlarge image
A Blacktip Bullseye at South Solitary Island, New South Wales, April 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Pempheris
    Species
    affinis
    Family
    Pempheridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

The Blacktip Bullseye is commonly seen by divers in caves and under ledged during the day.

Black-tipped Bullseye, Pempheris affinis
A Black-tipped Bullseye being cleaned by a Striped Cleaner Wrasse, South Solitary Island, New South Wales, April 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Identification

The Blacktip Bullseye has a deep compressed body that is covered with small ctenoid scales. It has a very large eye and a large obliquely-angled mouth.

The body is pale grey dorsally and yellow on the sides. The tips of the dorsal and caudal fins are black, as is the margin of the anal fin.

Habitat

The Blacktip Bullseye lives on rocky reefs down to depths of at least 30m. During the day it is often seen in aggregations in caves and under ledges. It ventures out at night.

Distribution

This species is recorded from marine waters of southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

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

References

  1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life; the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  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. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.