Crescent-Tail Big Eye

The crescent-tail bigeye is one of the priacanthid bigeyes, deep red fish with huge eyes suited to hunting after dark. Its Afrikaans name, sekelstert, points to the sickle- or crescent-shaped tail that sets it apart.

A widespread Indo-Pacific species first described from the Red Sea, it shelters around reefs and caves by day and moves out to feed at night. Divers usually find it hanging in shadow under ledges, its colour ranging from solid red to a paler, blotched pattern.