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Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) — Pempheridae

Klunzinger's bullseye

Pempheris klunzingeri
Family: Pempheridae

The Klunzinger's bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Klunzinger's bullseye is a reef fish of the family Pempheridae from the coastal waters of southern Australia. The species reaches about 18 cm and has a deep, compressed, coppery body with very large eyes, an adaptation to nocturnal life. It forms schools in caves and near rocky reefs. By day it gathers in dense aggregations in dark cavities; at night it swarms out to hunt zooplankton in the water column. Through its large eyes and schooling behaviour the species is a conspicuous sight on southern Australian reefs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Klunzinger's bullseye?

The Klunzinger's bullseye has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Klunzinger's bullseye live?

The Klunzinger's bullseye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Klunzinger's bullseye get?

The Klunzinger's bullseye grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Klunzinger's bullseye dangerous to humans?

No, the Klunzinger's bullseye is harmless to humans.

Is the Klunzinger's bullseye edible?

The Klunzinger's bullseye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Klunzingers veegvis sourced
English name
Klunzinger's bullseye verified
Scientific name
Pempheris klunzingeri
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Rough bullseye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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