Big-eye Emperor Monotaxis grandoculis from the Red Sea
Photos Andrew Taylor
This tropical reef fish is found near sandy patches, both in reef lagoons and on the seaward side, down to a depth of at least 100 m. Although mostly solitary, adults may congregate during the day, dispersing at night in order to feed on hard-shelled invertebrates.
It is found throughout most of the Indo-Pacific tropics, from the Red Sea to Hawaii. It is found in southern African waters, although it is rare.
Smiths' Sea Fishes, MM Smith and PC Heemstra, 1986.
Coral Reef Fishes, E Lieske and R Myers, 1999.