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Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) — Emmelichthyidae

Golden redbait

Erythrocles scintillans

The Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) is a saltwater fish of the family Emmelichthyidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
73.0–606.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Guam, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Golden redbait is a rover or bonnetmouth (Emmelichthyidae) from coastal and open water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, streamlined, silvery to reddish body with large eyes and a far-protrusible mouth. As a fast, schooling plankton feeder it swims in the open water column above deeper reefs and filters small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden redbait?

The Golden redbait has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Golden redbait live?

The Golden redbait lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Guam, Japan and others

How big does the Golden redbait get?

The Golden redbait grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Golden redbait dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden redbait is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Golden redbait edible?

Yes, the Golden redbait is commonly eaten.

More photos

Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) — Emmelichthyidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) — Emmelichthyidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) — Emmelichthyidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Golden redbait (Erythrocles scintillans) — Emmelichthyidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) nmi_fishguy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Golden redbait sourced
Scientific name
Erythrocles scintillans
Family
Emmelichthyidae
Other names
Golden rover; Golden kali kali verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
73.0 verified
Max depth (m)
606.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Easter I., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Guam, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Erythrocles

More from the family Emmelichthyidae

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