Creature Feature: Atlantic Bigeye (Priacanthus arenatus)
The Atlantic Bigeye is typically 8-12 inches long and can be found in small groups hovering over the reef. While you can spot them during the day, they are more active at night.
What do they eat?
Small fishes, crustaceans and polychaetes.
Who eats them?
Larger fish such as the Red Hind and Triggerfish.
Habitat:
Bigeyes can be found on reefs and rocky bottoms anywhere from 50 to 200 feet. Their distinctive “large eyes” are used to gather the small amount of light at these great depths. Depth preference is the key difference between the Bigeye and Glasseye…glasseyes prefer the shallower reefs.
Cool Fact:
These bright fish can turn from dark red to a pale pink or white in seconds! It has been hypothesized that this is a form of communication. Often times, they favor the pale color during the day and their vibrant red at night.
We see them on Flower Gardens all the time! So keep your big eyes open!
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=fnam&id=1857
