Emmelichthyidae - bonnetmouths

Japanese Rubyfish, Erythrocles schlegelii Click to enlarge image
A Japanese Rubyfish from the Kedonganan fish market, Bali, 2 March 2011. This species is an emmelichthyid fish (family Emmelichthyidae). The bonnetmouths (also known as the Red Baitfishes, Redbait, Ruby Fishes) are represented by two genera and four species in Australian waters. They are mostly bottom-dwelling fishes that occure at depths between 100 m and 400 m. They have distinctive upper jaws and feed mainly on zooplankton. Image: William White
© William White

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Family
    Emmelichthyidae
    Super Family
    Percoidea
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Use the table to access images and fact sheets of the emmelichthid fishes on the site. The family contains the bonnetmouths, red baitfishes, redbait and ruby fishes. Five species are known from Australian waters.

Emmelichthyidae - bonnetmouths
Erythrocles schlegelii Japanese Rubyfish
Plagiogeneion rubiginosum Cosmopolitan Rubyfish