Relevant synonyms None. Meristic formula D, X+13-14; A, III+14-15; P, 17-19 ; V, I+5; LL, 62-72  photo: Daniel Golani

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body ovate, deep and strongly compressed. Large head, its upper profile straight. Mouth strongly oblique, the lower jaw projected. Jaws reach back to the vertical of the third to the middle of eye. Two rows of small teeth merge into a single band. Small patches of vomerine and palatine teeth. Very big eye, its diameter is 40-50% of head length. Preoperculum margin serrated. Continuous dorsal fin, its spines increasing in size. Caudal fin emarginated. The entire body and head covered with small scales. Color : body generally pinkish-red. Several orange-brown dots on dorsal and anal fins and a black mark at pectoral fin base. Size : common 15-30 cm (max. 35 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Sargocentron rubrum: alternating longitudinal red and white stripes on the body.   BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Nocturnal fish. Feeds probably on fish and large invertebrates. Eggs and larvae pelagic. Juveniles settle at 5-6 cm. habitat : in open area and near soft substrate.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Israel, 2010. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Indo-Pacific. Mediterranean : only two specimens was recorded from Israel. ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Very rare. MODE OF INTRODUCTION Via the Suez Canal.  IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None.

KEY REFERENCES Golani D., O. Sonin and D. Edelist, 2011. Second records of the Lessepsian fish migrants Priacanthus sagittarius and Platax teira in the Mediterranean and distribution extension of Tylerius spinosissimus. Aquatic Invasions, 6 (Supplement 1): S7-S11. Goren M., Stern N., Galil B.S., and Diamant, 2010. First record of the Indo-Pacific arrow bulleye Priacanthus sagittarius Starnes, 1988 in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquatic Invasions, 5 (Supplement 1): S45-S47.   FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: November 2013 ©ciesm 2002