Animal Species:Ruby Snapper, Etelis carbunculus (Cuvier, 1828)

Alternative Name/s

It has also been called the Long-tailed Snapper.

Identification

The Ruby Snapper is a moderately elongate fish that can be recognised by its colouration. It is red above and pinkish to white below. The margins of the dorsal and caudal fins are red. The tip of the lower lobe of the caudal fin is white.

Size range

It grows to about 30 cm in length.

Similar Species

It looks similar to the Flame Snapper, Etelis coruscans,but does not have such a strongly forked caudal fin.

Distribution

The Ruby Snapper occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific.

In Australia it is recorded from north-western Western Australia and off north-eastern Queensland, with individuals such as the fish in the image sometimes being found considerably further south.

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

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ruby Snapper specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is known from both continental shelf and slope waters in depths from 90 m to 350 m.

Feeding and Diet

The species feeds on squid, fishes and crustaceans.

Economic/social impacts

The Ruby Snapper is an commercial species throughout much of its distribution.

Classification

Species:

carbunculus

Genus:

Etelis

Family:

Lutjanidae

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Anderson, W.D. & G.R. Allen. 2001. Lutjanidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 5. Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Pomacentridae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-iv, 2791-3379.
3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
4. Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J., & G.G. Leyland. 1985. Continental Shelf Fishes of northern and north-western Australia. An illustrated Guide. CSIRO Division of Fisheries Research. Pp. 375.

Last Updated: 5 November 2012

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Ruby Snapper, Etelis carbunculus, elongate, red, pink, white underside, Long-tailed Snapper, 10 cm - 30 cm, tropical water, marine, continental slope, continental shelf, commercial species,