Sealife guideThe atlantic bigeyePriacanthus arenatus

Last updated on 09/04/2024 at 10:10 PM

Taxonomy

Common name: Atlantic bigeye
French name: Gros-yeux de l'Atlantique
Spanish name: Catalufa ojón
Scientific name: Priacanthus arenatus (Cuvier, 1829)
Family name: Priacanthidae
Order name: Perciformes
Class name: Actinopterygii

Description

The atlantic bigeye is a fish that can reach a maximum length of up to twelve inches.

The atlantic bigeye (Priacanthus arenatus) © Peter Leahy | Dreamstime.com

Geographic range

The atlantic bigeye is found in the northwestern waters of the Atlantic ocean as well as in the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It can be found along the coasts of Florida such as off Palm Beach and around the islands of the Bahamas.

Habitat

The atlantic bigeye inhabits rocky bottoms and can form small schools above reefs. It is found at depths of up to 200 feet.

Diet

The atlantic bigeye primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans and marine worms.

Did you know ?

The atlantic bigeye is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The atlantic bigeye appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !

Within the same genus

Common bigeye
(Priacanthus hamrur)

Within the same family

Glasseye snapper
(Heteropriacanthus cruentatus)

Short bigeye
(Pristigenys alta)

Discover also

Gorgonian goby
(Bryaninops amplus)

Humpnose bigeye bream
(Monotaxis grandoculis)

Lemonpeel angelfish
(Centropyge flavissima)

Powder blue tang
(Acanthurus leucosternon)

Rusty angelfish
(Centropyge ferrugata)

Speckled butterflyfish
(Chaetodon citrinellus)

Swarthy Parrotfish
(Scarus niger)

Wide-eyed flounder
(Bothus podas)

Dive centers

'Les Ilets' dive center

Noa dive center

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Tarpon de l'Atlantique
(Megalops atlanticus)