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Vanikoro sweeper (Pempheris vanicolensis) — Pempheridae

Vanikoro sweeper

Pempheris vanicolensis
Family: Pempheridae

The Vanikoro sweeper (Pempheris vanicolensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pempheridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Vanikoro sweeper is a sweeper (Pempheridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, rearward-tapering, copper-red body with large eyes. The dorsal fin and tail have dark margins on a copper-coloured body. 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 Vanikoro sweeper?

The Vanikoro sweeper has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Vanikoro sweeper live?

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

How big does the Vanikoro sweeper get?

The Vanikoro sweeper grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Vanikoro sweeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Vanikoro sweeper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vanikoro-ogenvis sourced
English name
Vanikoro sweeper sourced
Scientific name
Pempheris vanicolensis
Family
Pempheridae
Other names
Sweeper; Vanikoro sweeper 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 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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