General Description

Body deep compressed, rear half tapering to a narrow tail base; dorsal fin high, short-based; anal fin long-based, scales on fin base; eyes large. Scales large, smooth, weakly attached. Pale to dark purplish brown, sometimes silvery below, with 8-10 horizontal darker stripes on sides. To 28 cm.

Biology

This is the most common pempherid in southern waters. They form large schools in caves and under ledges during the day, and move out in to the water column at night to feed on pelagic invertebrates.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Rocky reefs, in depths of 2-70 m.

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