Colours
Distinguishing features
A medium to large reddish-silver fish with an orange eye. Juveniles are dark brown with a pale tail and a small silver dot at the base of the dorsal fin.
Size
- Up to 90 cm (Standard length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Usually found singly around lagoonal patch reefs and back reef margins, and in schools along reef fronts and passes.
Can be found in most locations around the island.
Behaviour
This species is one of the largest Snappers, and feeds mainly on reef fishes although it will also take cephalopods and other invertebrates. They are one of the longest lived and slowest growing reef fishes, not becoming reproductively mature until 8-9 years old and reaching maximum size at about 15 years of age, with some specimens living until 55 years old. The small juveniles mimic damselfishes from the genus Chromis, in order to get close to potential prey.
Web resources
Danger
- unspecified - This species is known to have caused ciguatera poisoning and should not be eaten.
References
- Bostrom-Einarsson, L., M.C. Bonin, S. Moon and (2018). Environmental impact monitoring of household vinegar-injections to cull crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster spp. Ocean and Coastal Management, 155: 83-89. LIRS catalog number 2202.
- Braun, C. (2015). LIRS catalog number 1897.
- Ceccarelli, D.M., M.J. Emslie and Z.T. Richards (2016). Post-disturbance stability of fish assemblages measured at coarse taxonomic resolution masks change at finer scales. PLOS One, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156232. LIRS catalog number 1971.
- View all references