Rough Bullseye, Pempheris klunzingeri McCulloch, 1911

Scientific name: Pempheris klunzingeri
Alternative name/s:
Klunzinger's Bullseye
Rough Bullseye, <i>Pempheris klunzingeri</i> Click to enlarge image
A Rough Bullseye, Pempheris klunzingeri, at a depth of 20m, the Barge, Glenelg, South Australia, January 1999. Image: David Muirhead
© David Muirhead

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Pempheris
    Species
    klunzingeri
    Family
    Pempheridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 21 cm in length.

Introduction

The Rough Bullseye is endemic to Australia. It is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Identification

The Rough Bullseye has a deep compressed body that is covered with small ctenoidscales that are rough to touch. It has a very large eye and a large obliquely-angled mouth. The body colour varies from pale yellowish or pinkish-brown to darker orange-brown. The leading edge and tip of the dorsal fin, and margins of the anal and caudal fins are often black. There is an orange bar at the rear of the head. The lateral line is yellow or brown.

The species was described in 1911 by Alan McCulloch, who worked at the Australian Museum from 1901 till 1925.

Habitat

This is a schooling species that is found on inshore, rocky reefs to depths of about 20 m. It is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Distribution

The Rough Bullseye is endemic to Australia, occurring in temperate waters from eastern South Australia to the central coast of Western Australia.

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

References

  1. Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. 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.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Mooi, R.D. & R.N. Jubb. 1996. Descriptions of two new species of the genus Pempheris (Pisces: Pempherididae) from Australia, with a provisional key to Australian species. Records of the Australian Museum. 48(2): 117-130.