- Sweeper
Taxobox
name = Sweepers
image_width = 200px
image_caption =Glassy Sweeper s
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Perciformes
familia = Pempheridae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Parapriacanthus " "Pempheris " See text for species.Sweepers are small, tropical marine (occasionally
brackish )perciform fish of the family Pempheridae. Found in the westernAtlantic Ocean andIndo-Pacific region, the family contains approximately 26species in two genera. One species ("Pempheris xanthoptera ") is the target of subsistence fisheries inJapan , where the fish is much enjoyed for its taste. Sweepers are occasionally kept in themarine aquarium .Physical description
Deeply keeled, compressed bodies and large eyes typify sweepers, their form somewhat like
hatchetfish ; both cycloid and ctenoid scales may be present. The small, shortdorsal fin begins before the body's midpoint and may have 4-7 spines; theanal fin is extensive and usually has 3 spines. The mouth is subterminal and strongly oblique. Species of the genus "Parapriacanthus " have much more cylindrical bodies.Some species possess
photophore s. All but thecurved sweeper ("Pempheris poeyi") possess agas bladder . The largest species is thecommon bullseye ("Pempheris multiradiata") at 28 centimetres in length; most other species measure 16 centimetres or less. Coloration is relatively subdued.Behaviour
Characteristically shallow water, schooling fish (especially as juveniles), sweepers are
nocturnal and seek shelter under ledges or in the caves, nooks and crannies ofreef s or eroded, rocky shorelines during the day. They are often found sharing these hiding places withcardinalfish es andbigeye s, fellow nightowls. At night, sweepers forage forzooplankton , their primary food items.At least one species, the
small-scale bullseye ("Pempheris compressa") ofAustralia , is known to enter coastal estuaries whilst young.Species
There are 26 species in two genera:
* Genus "Parapriacanthus "
** "Parapriacanthus dispar " (Herre, 1935).
**Slender bullseye , "Parapriacanthus elongatus " (McCulloch, 1911).
** "Parapriacanthus marei " Fourmanoir, 1971.
**Pigmy sweeper , "Parapriacanthus ransonneti " Steindachner, 1870.
* Genus "Pempheris "
**New Zealand bigeye , "Pempheris adspersa " Griffin, 1927.
**Dusky sweeper , "Pempheris adusta " Bleeker, 1877.
**Black-tipped bullseye , "Pempheris affinis " McCulloch, 1911.
**Bronze sweeper , "Pempheris analis " Waite, 1910.
**Small-scale bullseye , "Pempheris compressa " (White, 1790).
** "Pempheris japonica " Döderlein, 1883.
**Klunzinger's bullseye , "Pempheris klunzingeri " McCulloch, 1911.
**Black-edged sweeper , "Pempheris mangula " Cuvier, 1829.
** "Pempheris molucca " Cuvier, 1829.
**Common bullseye , "Pempheris multiradiata " Klunzinger, 1880.
** "Pempheris nyctereutes " Jordan & Evermann, 1902.
** "Pempheris ornata " Mooi & Jubb, 1996.
** "Pempheris otaitensis " Cuvier, 1831.
**Silver sweeper , "Pempheris oualensis " Cuvier, 1831.
**Curved sweeper , "Pempheris poeyi " Bean, 1885.
** "Pempheris rapa " Mooi, 1998.
**Glassy sweeper , "Pempheris schomburgkii " Müller & Troschel, 1848.
** "Pempheris schreineri " Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915.
**Black-stripe sweeper , "Pempheris schwenkii " Bleeker, 1855.
**Vanikoro sweeper , "Pempheris vanicolensis " Cuvier, 1831.
** "Pempheris xanthoptera " Tominaga, 1963.
** "Pempheris ypsilychnus " Mooi & Jubb, 1996.References
*FishBase family|family=Pempheridae|year=2005|month=November
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