Spotted Bigeye, Priacanthus macracanthus Click to enlarge image
A Spotted Bigeye, Priacanthus macracanthus, at a depth of 8 m, Fairlight, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, 22 May 2016. Image: John Sear
© John Sear

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Priacanthus
    Species
    macracanthus
    Family
    Priacanthidae
    Order
    Priacanthidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    36 cm

Introduction

As its standard name implies the body of the Spotted Bigeye is often covered with blotches. It occurs in warm marine waters of the east-Indo-west-Pacific region.



Identification

The species is silvery to bright red with yellowish spots on the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. The body often has a blotchy pattern. Juveniles have a rounded caudal fin; that of adults has rounded corners.

Habitat

Juveniles live in shallow waters of 3 m to 20 m depth. Adults usually occur in deeper offshore waters in depths to at least 100 m. Adults are sometimes collected from trawlable substrates but also occur in rocky habitats.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters of the east-Indo-west-Pacific region. In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast, right around the north of the country and south to Victoria.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.