Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acropomatiformes (Oceanic basses) >
Pempheridae (Sweepers)
Etymology: Parapriacanthus: Greek, para = near + Greek, prion = saw + Greek, akantha = thorn (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Baron Eugen von Ransonnet-Villez (1838–1926) was an Austrian diplomat, painter, lithographer, biologist and explorer, who was also a pioneer of underwater oil painting. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Steindachner.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m (Ref. 90102). Tropical; 32°N - 18°S
Western Pacific.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.1 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 118701)
Anal soft rays: 19 - 23. This species is distinguished by the following characters: preanal pin-like mark,; A 19-23; pectoral rays modally 16: gill rakers modally 26; body depth 2.9-3.3 in SL, head length 2.9-3.1 in SL, eye diameter 6.6-7.4 in SL, predorsal length 2.3-2.4 in SL, pectoral-fin length of 3.3-3.45 in SL; fresh specimen with gold and green colour of the iris and with horizontal blackish streak beginning dorsally on the opercle and disappearing below the posterior end of the dorsal fin (Ref. 107896).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Found in coastal and offshore reefs (Ref., 90102). This species forms large groups in caves under ledges or beneath overhangs in reef (under Acropora plate corals) . Individuals forage at night, on zooplankton (mainly crustacean larvae and polychaetes (Ref. 43239, 90102, 107896).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E. and S.V. Bogorodsky, 2016. Preliminary review of the pempherid fish genus Parapriacanthus of the western Indian Ocean, with descriptions of five new species. J. Ocean Sci. Found. 20:1-24. (Ref. 107896)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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