Priacanthidae

The Priacanthidae, the bigeyes, are a family of 18 species of marine fishes. "Catalufa" is an alternate common name for some members of the Priacanthidae. The etymology of the scientific name (prioo-, to bite + akantha, thorn) refers to the family's very rough, spined scales. The common name of "bigeye" refers to the member species' unusually large eyes, suited to their carnivorous and nocturnal lifestyles. Priacanthidae are typically colored bright red, but some have patterns in silver, dusky brown, or black. Most species reach a maximum total length of about 30 cm (12 in), although in a few species lengths of over 50 cm (20 in) are known.

"Bigeye" redirects here. For other uses, see Bigeye tuna.

Bigeyes
Glasseye, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Priacanthidae
Genera

Priacanthus
Pristigenys
Heteropriacanthus
Cookeolus
See text for species.

Most members of this family are native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but four species (Cookeolus japonicus, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, Priacanthus arenatus, and Pristigenys alta) are found in the Atlantic. They tend to live near rock outcroppings or reefs, although a few are known to inhabit open waters. Many species are found in relatively deep waters, below depths reachable by normal scuba diving. Some species are fished for food.

The earliest identified Priacanthidae fossils date to the middle Eocene epoch of the lower Tertiary period, or roughly 40 to 50 million years ago.

Species
Moontail bullseye, Priacanthus hamrur
Short bigeye, Pristigenys alta
Paeony bulleye (Priacanthus blochii) from the Red Sea
Red bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus) in a Philippine fish market

The 18 species in four genera are:

Timeline of genera
QuaternaryNeogenePaleogeneHolocenePleist.MioceneOligoceneEocenePaleocenePriacanthusPristigenysQuaternaryNeogenePaleogeneHolocenePleist.MioceneOligoceneEocenePaleocene
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References
  • Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Priacanthidae" in FishBase. January 2006 version.
  • Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
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