Q: I caught this fish along with a snowy grouper deep-dropping in about 700 feet of water off Islamorada, Florida. The eyes were almost translucent and seemed to glow in the dark. The fillet was like that of a snapper and looked fine. Can you tell me what it is?

Vic Vazquez
Naples, Florida

A: You caught a bulleye, Cookeolus japonicus, (also called a long-finned bulleye). This fish belongs to the family Priacanthidae, the members of which are often collectively called catalufas or bigeyes. As your photograph illustrates, this latter name is very descriptive. The bulleye, as well as other fish in this family, is primarily nocturnal; their large eyes allow them to see in very dim conditions. The bulleye is the largest species in the family and may grow to slightly more than two feet long, so yours was a very large individual. All priacanthids are edible, but many are too small to be of much food value. Although its scientific name suggests an Indonesian/Western Pacific distribution, it occurs in tropical and, in some instances, temperate waters around the world at depths to about 1,300 feet. Bulleyes characteristically have very long pelvic fins except in large individuals such as yours. — Ray Waldner