It is also been claimed to be the species of sweeper which has colonised the eastern Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal but see Taxonomy section below.

[6] Pempheris mangula is normally a solitary species which spends the day in caves or under overhangs in coral reefs.

They depart from their daytime shelters at dusk and congregate nearby before moving inshore where they disperse into small groups to feed.

Prior to sunrise, they reassemble near the entrance to their shelter, so they can go in it at first light, once the school has sufficient numbers.

Other workers have stated that P. mangula is an eastern Indian Ocean species, found no further west than the east coast of India and that the Red Sea members of the genus Pempheris are P. flavicycla, P. rhomboidea and P. tominagai, and that the Mediterranean invader is P.