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Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) — Priacanthidae

Bloch's bigeye

Priacanthus blochii
Family: Priacanthidae

The Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–30.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Bloch's bigeye is a bigeye (Priacanthidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 36 cm and has a deep, reddish body with very large eyes and a rough skin. It can quickly shift colour between plain red and blotched silver-red. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in crevices and caves of coral and rocky reefs; at night it forages for large zooplankton, shrimp and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bloch's bigeye?

The Bloch's bigeye has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Bloch's bigeye live?

The Bloch's bigeye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia and others

How big does the Bloch's bigeye get?

The Bloch's bigeye grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Bloch's bigeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Bloch's bigeye is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bloch's bigeye edible?

Yes, the Bloch's bigeye is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) — Priacanthidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) — Priacanthidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) — Priacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bryan J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloch's bigeye (Priacanthus blochii) — Priacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ewout Knoester, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bloch's bigeye sourced
Scientific name
Priacanthus blochii
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Glasseye; Paeony bulleye; Paeony bullseye; Shortfin bigeye; Silver bigeye; Silver big-eye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.1 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Indonesia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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