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Black-tipped Bullseye
Pempheris affinis McCulloch, 1911
A Black-tipped Bullseye being cleaned by a Striped Cleaner Wrasse (view fact sheet), South Solitary Island, New South Wales, April 2000. View larger image.
The Black-tipped Bullseye has a deep compressed (view glossary) body that is covered with small ctenoid scales. It has a very large eye and a large obliquely-angled mouth.
The body is pale grey dorsally and yellow on the sides. The tips of the dorsal and caudal fins are black, as is the margin of the anal fin.
The Black-tipped Bullseye lives on rocky reefs. During the day it is often seen in aggregations in caves and under ledges. It ventures out at night.
This species is recorded from marine waters of southern Queensland to southern New South Wales. It is commonly seen by divers, and lives down to depths of at least 30m.
Further reading
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life; the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
