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Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) — Lutjanidae

Randall's snapper

Randallichthys filamentosus
Family: Lutjanidae

The Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
150.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Cook Is., French Polynesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Randall's snapper is a deepwater snapper (Lutjanidae) from the tropical Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, red-pink body with thread-like elongate rear dorsal and anal fin rays. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives around deep rocky reefs and slopes between about one hundred and fifty and three hundred metres and hunts fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Randall's snapper?

The Randall's snapper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Randall's snapper live?

The Randall's snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia, Cook Is., French Polynesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others

How big does the Randall's snapper get?

The Randall's snapper grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Randall's snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Randall's snapper 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 Randall's snapper edible?

Yes, the Randall's snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) — Lutjanidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France) (CC BY 4.0)
Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) — Lutjanidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) nmi_fishguy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) — Lutjanidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus) — Lutjanidae — 5
J.E. Randall (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Randall's snapper sourced
Scientific name
Randallichthys filamentosus
Family
Lutjanidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
150.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Cook Is., French Polynesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
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

More from the family Lutjanidae

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