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Golden sweeper (Parapriacanthus dispar) — Pempheridae

Golden sweeper

Parapriacanthus dispar
Family: Pempheridae

The Golden sweeper (Parapriacanthus dispar) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., New Caledonia

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Description

The golden sweeper is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from reef and coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a translucent, golden-yellow to coppery body with a deep chest, a short dorsal fin and large eyes. As a nocturnal schooling fish it forms dense, shimmering clouds in caves and under overhanging reef by day and swarms out at night to eat zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden sweeper?

The Golden sweeper has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden sweeper live?

The Golden sweeper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., New Caledonia

How big does the Golden sweeper get?

The Golden sweeper grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Golden sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden sweeper 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden sweeper sourced
Scientific name
Parapriacanthus dispar
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Dispar sweeper; Pygmy sweeper; Deep bullseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

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 Parapriacanthus

More from the family Pempheridae

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