Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Priacanthidae

Priacanthidae

<I>Cookeolus japonicus</I>, holotype of <I>Priacanthus velabundus</I> McCulloch

Cookeolus japonicus, holotype of Priacanthus velabundus McCulloch

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CAAB: 37326000

Family PRIACANTHIDAE

Big-eyes, Bigeyes, Deepsea Bullseye


Compiler and date details

18 January 2012 - John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates, Dianne J. Bray. Douglass F. Hoese & Matthew Lockett

December 2006 - John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates, Dianne J. Bray & Douglass F. Hoese

Introduction

Members of the Priacanthidae are found in tropical and subtropical waters. Four genera and 17 species are recognised worldwide (Starnes 1988), with nine species in four genera known from Australian waters.

Although the adults are benthic on shelf and slope waters to 400 m, young juveniles are found in surface waters. Recorded food items include octopus, crustaceans, fishes and polychaetes. All species have very large eyes, 16 principal caudal fin rays and most have a red body colour as adults. Maximum size reached is 60 cm.

The bigeyes or deepsea bullseyes from the western Atlantic were reviewed by Caldwell (1962), and Lee (1980) reviewed those from Taiwan. The family was revised by Starnes (1988) and most of the Australian species are treated in Starnes (1999).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
15-Nov-2012 15-Nov-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)