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Japanese bigeye (Pristigenys niphonia) — Priacanthidae

Japanese bigeye

Pristigenys niphonia
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Japanese bigeye (Pristigenys niphonia) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–250.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Japanese bigeye is a bigeye (Priacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, red body with very large eyes, adapted to life in dim water and nocturnal activity. It occurs near rocky habitats, known from about 80 to more than 100 m depth, while juveniles probably occur in shallower water. At night it hunts small fishes, crustaceans and other zooplankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese bigeye?

The Japanese bigeye has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Japanese bigeye live?

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

How big does the Japanese bigeye get?

The Japanese bigeye grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Japanese bigeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese bigeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Japanese bigeye edible?

The Japanese bigeye is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse grootoogbaars sourced
English name
Japanese bigeye verified
Scientific name
Pristigenys niphonia
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Japanese bigeye; Oval big-eye; Paleband bigeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pristigenys

More from the family Priacanthidae

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