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Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) — Lutjanidae

Rusty jobfish

Aphareus rutilans
Family: Lutjanidae

The Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 110 cm.

Length
110 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–330.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The rusty jobfish is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the tropical Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 1.1 metres and has an elongate, red-brown to blue-grey body with a large mouth and strongly projecting lower jaw. As a fast predator it hunts fish and squid around deep reef edges and slopes between about one hundred and three hundred metres. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rusty jobfish?

The Rusty jobfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Rusty jobfish live?

The Rusty jobfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar and others

How big does the Rusty jobfish get?

The Rusty jobfish grows to a maximum of about 110 cm. On average the species is around 79 cm.

Is the Rusty jobfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Rusty jobfish 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 Rusty jobfish edible?

Yes, the Rusty jobfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) — Lutjanidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — KANNAN K and SURESHKUMAR K (CC BY 3.0)
Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) — Lutjanidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA Photo Library (CC BY 2.0)
Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) — Lutjanidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) — Lutjanidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Rusty jobfish sourced
Scientific name
Aphareus rutilans
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Jobfish; Lehi; Reddish snapper fish; Red smalltooth job; Silvermouth; Small-toothed jobfish; Ironjaw snapper; Rusty smalltooth jobfish; Small tooth jobfish; Smalltooth jobfish; Small-tooth jobfish; Snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
110.0 verified
Average length (cm)
79.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
330.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Aphareus

More from the family Lutjanidae

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