Issue
Pempheris flavicycla flavicycla was considered as synonym of P. adusta by Koeda et al., 2014 (Ref. 95675) but valid according to Randall et al., 2014 (Ref.95583); and Pempheris flavicycla marisrubri as synonym of P. erythraea in Golani et al., 2018 Ref. 120578. Please send references, or more studies are needed.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m (Ref. 95675). Subtropical
Indo-Pacific: widely distributed and abundant in the Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea to Andaman Sea) to the Pacific; not in the Mediterranean Sea. Regional variations present in the Indian, Andaman and the Pacific.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 17.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6645)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 36 - 45; Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral fin base with a faint blackish spot; pored lateral-line scales 56-64 (Andaman Sea 52-58; Pacific 51-62); scale rows above lateral line 4.5-6.5 (usually 5.5; Andaman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, 4.5-5.5, usually 4.5); circumpeduncular scales 14-18 (usually 16); outer edge of anal fin with a distinct blackish band (rarely faint or only anterior half prominent; usually none in Pacific); posterior edge of caudal fin with a blackish band (caudal fin whole yellowish in Andaman Sea); upper-jaw length 14.2-15.6% SL; body depth 41.4-45.4% SL. Individuals in the Pacific are distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: ctenoid and deciduous scales are thin and semicircular in shape; 51-62 pored lateral-line scales; 4.5-5.5 (usually 4.5) scale rows above lateral line; pectoral fin base with a faint blackish spot; anal fin usually have no blackish outer margin; anal fin base with a dusky band (Ref. 95675).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
This fish is common on coral reefs (Ref. 6645); forming aggregations in caves or crevices or under overhangs (Ref. 48636) by day, but a few may at times be seen in the open, close to the shelter of reefs. This species is also observed forming small groups with Myripristis murdjan at 0.5-1 m below the surface. At night, it is known to feed on zooplankton (Ref. 94773). Spawning occur during April to June, and is year-round in Okinawa I. (Koeda et al., in press - in Ref. 95675). Spawning occurred after sunset with individuals larger than 11 cm SL joining the spawning group (Ref. 95675). Flesh is edible (Ref. 12484).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Koeda, K., T. Yoshino, H. Imai and K. Tachinara, 2014. A review of the genus Pempheris (Perciformes, Pempheridae) of the Red Sea, with description of a new species. Zootaxa 3793(3):301-330. (Ref. 95675)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually
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