Pristigenys alta, the toro or short bigeye, is a species of fish in the family Priacanthidae.[3] Some anglers refer to this fish as "toro snapper", but it is not a snapper, and only distantly related to the fish of the snapper family.

Pristigenys alta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Priacanthidae
Genus: Pristigenys
Species:
P. alta
Binomial name
Pristigenys alta
(Gill, 1862)
Synonyms[2]
  • Priacanthus altus Gill, 1862
  • Pseudopriacanthus altus (Gill, 1862)

Description

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The most noticeable characteristic of Pristigenys alta is its very large eyes. This species is blunt, bright red, and ovate, with a flattened, disk-like body. It is commonly about 20 cm long, but can grow to a maximum length of 30 cm.[4] It has rough scales, and large ventral fins.

Distribution

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This species is found in the Western Atlantic along the east coast of North America from North Carolina southwards, the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea[5] and West Indies.[4]

Habitat

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Pristigenys alta is a solitary marine fish that lives mainly in reef areas at depths of between 5 and 200 metres. It can also be found on rocky bottoms.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Dooley, J.; Collette, B.; Aiken, K.A.; Marechal, J.; Pina Amargos, F.; Singh-Renton, S. (2015). "Pristigenys alta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190397A1950515. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190397A1950515.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pristigenys alta". FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pristigenys alta (Gill, 1862)". Marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Pristigenys alta, Short bigeye : aquarium". Fishbase.us. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  5. ^ "Short big-eye". Gma.org. Retrieved 2012-07-21.