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Bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus) — Priacanthidae

Bigeye

Priacanthus macracanthus
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The red bigeye is a bigeye (Priacanthidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a deep, reddish body with very large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal life in deeper water. It occurs on inshore and seaward reefs, from less than 20 m to more than 400 m deep, and forms aggregations above the bottom by day. At night it hunts zooplankton, small fishes and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye?

The Bigeye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Bright red with very large eyes; nocturnal reef fish that forms aggregations during the day.

Where does the Bigeye live?

The Bigeye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coastal and seaward reefs.

How big does the Bigeye get?

The Bigeye grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Bigeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye edible?

Yes, the Bigeye is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus) — Priacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) tern911, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus) — Priacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Victor W Fazio III, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye verified
Scientific name
Priacanthus macracanthus
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Bigeye snapper; Brownspot bigeye; Bullseye perch; Bulls-eye perch; Goggle-eye; Red bigeye; Red bullseye; Large-spined big-eye; Spotted bigeye; Red big eye; Red bigeye fish; Red bulleseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bright red with very large eyes; nocturnal reef fish that forms aggregations during the day. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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