6 photos - 5 species
Introduction
There are around 20 species.
During the day, these fish can be seen in caves and crevices, where they congregate in small groups. They attract predatory groups that like to have a bite to eat.
They can live up to 100 m deep, but tend to be more top-oriented.
Depending on the species, they can reach a size of 6 to over 40 cm.
Parapriacanthus ransonneti
Golden sweeper
Maximum length: 10 cm
Depth: 0.3 - 40 m
Transparent with yellow head.
Lives in dense shoals in caves and under overhangs.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt.
Pempheris mangula
Black-edged sweeper, Moluccan sweeper or Black-margin bullseye
Maximum length: 20 cm
Depth: 1 - 40 m
It has black fin edges and lives in crevices, caves and under overhangs.
During the day they can be found in small shoals or hiding places.
At night they disperse to hunt smaller fish.
Not very shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Pempheris schomburgkii
Glassy sweeper
Maximum length: 15 cm
Depth: 5 - 25 m
Found during the day in caves, but also inside shipwrecks, in small groups to large shoals.
Not shy, allow a close approach.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Pempheris schwenkii
Silver sweeper
Maximum length: 15 cm
Depth: 3 - 50 m
First dorsal fin with dark front edge.
Found in groups in caves and under overhangs.
Not very shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Pempheris vanicolensis
Vanikoro sweeper or Greenback bullseye
Maximum length: 18 cm
Depth: 3 - 40 m
During the day in schools under slopes, also in caves.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt