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Blacktip sweeper (Pempheris affinis) — Pempheridae

Blacktip sweeper

Pempheris affinis
Family: Pempheridae

The Blacktip sweeper (Pempheris affinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–? m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Blacktip sweeper is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from reef and coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, coppery to silvery body with a large chest, a short dorsal fin and large eyes. As a nocturnal schooling fish it shelters by day in dense groups in caves and under overhanging reef and swarms out at night to eat zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktip sweeper?

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

Where does the Blacktip sweeper live?

The Blacktip sweeper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blacktip sweeper get?

The Blacktip sweeper grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blacktip sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktip sweeper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Verwante veegvis sourced
English name
Blacktip sweeper sourced
Scientific name
Pempheris affinis
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Black-tipped bullseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 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)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pempheris

More from the family Pempheridae

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