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Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) — Emmelichthyidae

Japanese rubyfish

Erythrocles schlegelii

The Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) is a saltwater fish of the family Emmelichthyidae that grows up to 72 cm.

Length
72 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–500.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan, Ryukyu Is., Kenya, Korea (South), Oman, Philippines and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Japanese rubyfish is a deepwater perch (Emmelichthyidae) from coastal and slope waters of the western Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 72 cm and has a streamlined, reddish body with a far-protrusible mouth. As a schooling species it hovers above rocky slopes to several hundred metres and filters small zooplankton from the current with its protrusible mouth. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese rubyfish?

The Japanese rubyfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Japanese rubyfish live?

The Japanese rubyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Japan, Ryukyu Is., Kenya, Korea (South), Oman, Philippines and others

How big does the Japanese rubyfish get?

The Japanese rubyfish grows to a maximum of about 72 cm.

Is the Japanese rubyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese rubyfish 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 Japanese rubyfish edible?

Yes, the Japanese rubyfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) — Emmelichthyidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 3.0)
Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) — Emmelichthyidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan and Barton Warren Evermann (Public domain)
Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) — Emmelichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) david_moore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) — Emmelichthyidae — 5
Amanda Hay (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
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All data

Identification

English name
Japanese rubyfish sourced
Scientific name
Erythrocles schlegelii
Family
Emmelichthyidae
Other names
Japanese rubyfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan, Ryukyu Is., Kenya, Korea (South), Oman, Philippines 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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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