View source for Sweeper

{{Short description|Family of ray-finned fishes}}
{{About|the fish}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Pempheridae
| image = glassy sweepers.jpg
| image_caption = [[Glassy sweeper]]s ''(Pempheris schomburgkii)''
| taxon = Pempheridae
| authority = [[Pieter Bleeker|Bleeker]], 1859<ref name = VDLEF>{{cite journal | author1 = Richard van der Laan | author2 = William N. Eschmeyer | author3 = Ronald Fricke | name-list-style = amp |year=2014 | title = Family-group names of Recent fishes | url = https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3882.1.1/10480 | journal = Zootaxa | volume = 3882 | issue =2 | pages = 001–230}}</ref>
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]
| subdivision = seetext
}}

'''Sweepers''' are small, tropical marine (occasionally [[brackish]]) [[ray-finned fish]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Pempheridae'''. Found in the western [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Indo-Pacific]] region, the family contains about 80 [[species]] in two [[genus|genera]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAMILY Details for Pempheridae - Sweepers |url=https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=334 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=fishbase.mnhn.fr |language=en}}</ref> One species (''Pempheris xanthoptera'') is the target of subsistence [[fishery|fisheries]] in [[Japan]], where the fish is much enjoyed for its taste. Sweepers are occasionally kept in marine aquaria.

== Description ==
Deeply keeled, compressed bodies and large eyes typify sweepers, their form somewhat like [[Freshwater hatchetfish|hatchetfish]]; both cycloid and ctenoid [[scale (zoology)|scale]]s may be present. The small, short [[dorsal fin]] begins before the body's midpoint and may have four to seven spines; the [[anal 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 [[photophore]]s. All but the curved sweeper (''[[Pempheris poeyi]]'') possess a [[gas bladder]]. The largest species is the common bullseye (''[[Pempheris multiradiata]]'') at {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} long; most other species measure {{convert|16|cm|in|abbr=on}} or less. Colouration is relatively subdued.

== Behaviour ==
[[File:glassfish.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Red Sea dwarf sweepers (''[[Parapriacanthus guentheri]]'')]]

Characteristically shallow water, schooling fish (especially as juveniles), sweepers are [[nocturnal]] and seek shelter under ledges or in the caves, nooks, and crannies of [[reef]]s or eroded, rocky shorelines during the day. They are often found sharing these hiding places with [[cardinalfish]]es and [[bigeye]]s, 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 [[estuary|estuaries]] whilst young.

==Genera==
The following genera are classified within the family Pempheridae:<ref name = CoFF>{{Cof family|family=Pempheridae|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{FishBase family | family = Pempheridae| month = February | year = 2014}}</ref>

* ''[[Parapriacanthus]]'' <small>[[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1870</small>
* ''[[Pempheris]]'' <small>[[Georges Cuvier|Cuvier]], 1829</small>

==References==
{{Commons category|Pempheridae}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1362711}}

[[Category:Pempheridae| ]]