PORT PHILLIP BAY


Bigscale Bullseye 

Pempheris multiradiata Klunzinger, 1879

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: V, 11-13
Anal fin spines/rays: III, 32-39
Caudal fin rays: 17
Pectoral fin rays: 16-17
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5
Lateral line: 42-50

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A large and highly diverse group of modern bony fishes many of which have a generalized perch like body form. Most have pelvic fins with one spine and 5 rays and the maxillary bone is excluded from the gape of the mouth. Interrelationships of the group are poorly understood and continue to be studied. They inhabit almost all aquatic habitats from high-altitude strams to the deep sea, although most are marine.

Family level detail.
Small deep-bodied fishes with large eyes, a very compressed body, deep anteriorly but tapering rapidly to the slender tail base; dorsal-fin short-based, in middle of back, anal fin long-based; mouth moderately large, caudal fin forked; pectoral fins prominent, upper rays much longer than lower. Mostly found in tropical or subtropical waters and form large schools in caves and under ledges during the day. At night they feed on pelagic invertebrates in the open water. Most Australian species are bioluminescent.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Pempheridae
Genus:
Pempheris
Species:
multiradiata

General Description

Body deep compressed, rear half tapering to a narrow tail base; dorsal fin high, short-based; anal fin long-based, scales on fin base; eyes large. Scales large, smooth, weakly attached. Pale to dark purplish brown, sometimes silvery below, with 8-10 horizontal darker stripes on sides. To 28 cm.

Biology

This is the most common pempherid in southern waters. They form large schools in caves and under ledges during the day, and move out in to the water column at night to feed on pelagic invertebrates.

Habitat

Rocky reefs, in depths of 2-70 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Bullseyes

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

28 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Bigscale Bullseye, Pempheris multiradiata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6444

Text: creative commons cc by licence