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Smallscale bullseye (Pempheris compressa) — Pempheridae

Smallscale bullseye

Pempheris compressa
Family: Pempheridae

The Smallscale bullseye (Pempheris compressa) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Smallscale bullseye is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, rearward-tapering, copper-red body with large eyes. The copper-red body gleams in the dim reef water. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day in dense schools in caves and under overhanging coral; at night it swarms out to eat zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallscale bullseye?

The Smallscale bullseye has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Smallscale bullseye live?

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

How big does the Smallscale bullseye get?

The Smallscale bullseye grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Smallscale bullseye dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale bullseye is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-ogenvis sourced
English name
Smallscale bullseye sourced
Scientific name
Pempheris compressa
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Bullseye; Deep bullseye; Smallscale bullseye; Small-scale bullseye verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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