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Popeye catalufa (Pristigenys serrula) — Priacanthidae

Popeye catalufa

Pristigenys serrula
Family: Priacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Popeye catalufa (Pristigenys serrula) is a saltwater fish of the family Priacanthidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The popeye catalufa is a reef fish of the bigeye family (Priacanthidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 34 cm and has a deep, deep-red body with very large eyes, adapted to a nocturnal way of life. It is a shy fish that hides by day and prefers deeper water around islands and rocky reefs, often in the company of squirrelfishes and other nocturnal animals. At night it hunts small crustaceans, small fishes and other zooplankton. The large eyes gather the scarce light of the depths. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Popeye catalufa?

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

Where does the Popeye catalufa live?

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

How big does the Popeye catalufa get?

The Popeye catalufa grows to a maximum of about 34 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Popeye catalufa dangerous to humans?

No, the Popeye catalufa is harmless to humans.

Is the Popeye catalufa edible?

The Popeye catalufa is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische catalufa sourced
English name
Popeye catalufa verified
Scientific name
Pristigenys serrula
Family
Priacanthidae
Other names
Popeye catalufa verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 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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