Flame Snapper, Etelis coruscans Valenciennes, 1862

Scientific name: Etelis coruscans
Alternative name/s:
Large-eyed Job-fish, Ruby Snapper
Flame Snapper, Etelis coruscans Click to enlarge image
A 7 kg Flame Snapper caught at a depth of 280m, off Bruswick Heads, New South Wales, 25 May 2005. Image: Ian Cameron
© Ian Cameron

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Etelis
    Species
    coruscans
    Family
    Lutjanidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 70 cm but is common to 40 cm in length.

Identification

The Flame Snapper can be recognised by its deep pink to red colour and deeply forked caudal fin.

Distribution

The species occurs widely throughout the tropical Indo-central-Pacific region.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1985. Snappers of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Lutjanid Species known to Date. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. FAO. Rome. Pp. 208, Pl. I-XXVII.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.