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Japanese sweeper (Pempheris japonica) — Pempheridae

Japanese sweeper

Pempheris japonica
Family: Pempheridae

The Japanese sweeper (Pempheris japonica) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Japanese sweeper is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from reef and coastal water of the northwest 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 Japanese sweeper?

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

Where does the Japanese sweeper live?

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

How big does the Japanese sweeper get?

The Japanese sweeper grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Japanese sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese sweeper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse veegvis sourced
English name
Japanese sweeper sourced
Scientific name
Pempheris japonica
Family
Pempheridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 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
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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