---
title: Sweepers (Pempheridae)
scientific_name: Pempheridae
common_name: Sweepers
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-08T12:52:19.581Z
tags: Sweepers, Pempheridae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers
---

# Sweepers (*Pempheridae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Pempheridae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 5

## How to recognise this group

- oval, deep-bodied, laterally compressed
- typically silvery body coloration
- very large eyes
- short dorsal fin and long anal fin
- dense schools in caves or under overhangs

Sweepers (Pempheridae) are small, deep-bodied, laterally compressed fishes, typically silvery in colour. They possess large eyes, a small, upturned mouth, a short dorsal fin, and a long anal fin. Most species measure 10-15 cm (4-6 in) in total length, with some growing up to 20 cm (8 in). Their common name derives from their habit of 'sweeping' through protected spaces by day.

By day, these fish form dense, cohesive schools in sheltered, dimly lit areas, including under large reef overhangs, within caves, or inside wrecks. These schools are typically found from 1 to 30 m (3-100 ft) deep. At night, the schools disperse, and individual sweepers move into the open water column to feed on zooplankton. Divers frequently encounter these dense schools, which can obscure large sections of reef structures.


## Species (5)

- [African Silver Sweeper (Pempheris tominagai)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers/african-silver-sweeper)
- [Goldhead Sweeper (Parapriacanthus guentheri)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers/goldhead-sweeper)
- [Nesogallica Sweeper (Pempheris nesogallica)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers/nesogallica-sweeper)
- [Sharm Sweeper (Parapriacanthus sharm)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers/sharm-sweeper)
- [Yellowtail Sweeper (Pempheris adusta)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers/yellowtail-sweeper)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sweepers)*
*Updated: August 8, 2026*