New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Curved sweeper

Pempheris poeyi Bean, 1885
Max Length
15 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Curved sweeper (Pempheris poeyi) is a ray-finned fish of the family Pempheridae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 15 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Pempheris poeyi
Authority
Bean, 1885
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
15 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 24. Ctenoid scales along back beginning at nape, on side of body posterior to pectoral fins, and ventrally on head and body; color varies from light yellowish brown, only slightly dusky on back, to blackish on entire upper sides and caudal fin .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Curved sweeper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.4±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0138 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
15cm
Dorsal Spines
5
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
23

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2013

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
23.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bean, 1885

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Curved sweeper ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.