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Black-edged sweeper (Pempheris molucca) — Pempheridae

Black-edged sweeper

Pempheris molucca
Family: Pempheridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-edged sweeper (Pempheris molucca) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackedged sweeper is a sweeper from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, rearward-tapering, coppery to silvery body with a black margin on the anal fin and large eyes. By day it schools densely in caves, under ledges and around wrecks; at night it spreads out to catch zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-edged sweeper?

The Black-edged sweeper has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black-edged sweeper live?

The Black-edged sweeper lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black-edged sweeper get?

The Black-edged sweeper grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Black-edged sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-edged sweeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-edged sweeper edible?

The Black-edged sweeper is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartrand-vegervis verified
English name
Black-edged sweeper verified
Scientific name
Pempheris molucca
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Moluccan sweeper; Moluccan-sweeper; Sweeper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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