Pempheris oualensis Sweeper fish
Sweepers, Pempheris oualensis Sweeper fish, are small, tropical marine (occasionally brackish) perciformes fish of the family Pempheridae. Found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, the family contains about 26 species in two genera. One species (Pempheris xanthoptera) is the target of subsistence fisheries in Japan, where the fish is much enjoyed for its taste. Sweepers are occasionally kept in marine aquaria. Deeply keeled, compressed bodies and large eyes typify sweepers, their form somewhat like hatchetfish; both cycloid and ctenoid scales may be present.
The small, short dorsal fin begins before the body’s midpoint and may have four to seven spines; theanal fin is extensive and usually has three spines. The mouth is subterminal and strongly oblique. Species of the genus Parapriacanthus have much more cylindrical bodies. Some species possess photophores. All but the curved sweeper (Pempheris poeyi) possess a gas bladder. The largest species is the common bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata) at 28 cm (11 in) long; most other species measure 16 cm (6.3 in) or less. Colouration is relatively subdued.
Characteristically shallow water, schooling fish (especially as juveniles), sweepers are nocturnal and seek shelter under ledges or in the caves, nooks, and crannies of reefs or eroded, rocky shorelines during the day. They are often found sharing these hiding places with cardinalfishes and bigeyes, also nocturnal species. At night, sweepers forage for zooplankton, their primary food. At least one species, the small-scale bullseye (Pempheris compressa) of Australia, is known to enter coastal estuaries whilst young. This video was taken in a tropical marine reef in the waters of Malaysia while I was snorkeling. As you can see the sea is clear and the transparent waters allow you to see the small fish in schools. At the time of the video the corals seem to be in good condition and this suggests that they do not currently have consequences due to climate change.
(extract from Wikipedia)
You might be interested in
