The Digital Fish Library

Distribution:
Tropical and subtropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Habitat:
Epibenthic near coral or rocky reefs, in depths from 5 to 400 m or more.

Remarks:
Priacanthids have very large eyes with a uniquely formed tacetum lucidum -- the reflective layer that produces "eyeshine" and improves vision in low light conditions. Other notable characteristics include the large, upturned mouth and a broad membrane that joins the inner ray of each pelvic fin to the body.

Catalufas usually are nocturnal predators, feeding on crustaceans, cephalopods, polychaetes, and small fishes, and usually occur solitary or in small groups. They are often red or silver-red in color and are considered good to excellent foodfishes. The maximum total length is 65 cm.

The bigeyes comprise four genera, Cookeolus, Heteropriacanthus, Priacanthus, and Pristigenys, with approximately 18 species.

References:
Nelson 2006; Starnes, pp. 1379-1385, in: Carpenter 2002; Thomson et al. 2000