Atlantic bigeye (Priacanthus arenatus)

Scientific name: Priacanthus arenatus Cuvier, 1829

The Atlantic bigeye (Priacanthus arenatus) is a marine fish of the family Priacanthidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Priacanthus arenatus
Family: Priacanthidae (Bigeyes or catalufas)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 50.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 10–200 m (33–656 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 200 m, usually 15 - 100 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Tropical and tropically influenced areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Western Atlantic: Canada to Bermuda and at least North Carolina, USA southward to northern Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: Madeira to northern Angola. Mediterranean. Reports from the Indo-Pacific are misidentifications.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7)

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026