Aphareus rutilans

Osteichthyes Lutjanidae Genus Aphareus Aphareus rutilans

Rusty jobfish ARQ

43.2 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Variable blueish grey or mauve to reddish.

Size:

Up to 110 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West and Central Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral and rocky reefs, from the surface to 250 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds on fishes, squids and crustaceans. Solitary or occuring in small schools. In Vanuatu, spawning occurs through spring and summer, with peak activity in November and December.¹ Age and length at which 50% of Rusty jobfish reach maturity is estimated at 3.8 years, and 65.5 cm FL, respectively. Estimated maximum age is 18 years.²

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught with handlines and bottom longlines.

Similar species:

Aphareus furca
Small-toothed jobfish

Aphareus furca differs in having 22–28 gill rakers on first gill arch (vs. 49–52) and a body colour varying from silvery purple brown on back, silvery blue below (vs. blueish grey or mauve to reddish).

to Aphareus furca

Pristipomoides spp.

Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus

Pristipomoides species differ in having a premaxilla not protrusible, attached to snout at symphysis by a frenum (vs. premaxilla protrusible, not attached to snout by frenum).

to Pristipomoides spp.

External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM

References:

Anderson WD, Allen GR. Lutjanidae. Jobfishes. Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome.; 2001.
Martinez-Andrade F. A comparison of life histories and ecological aspects among snappers (Pisces: Lutjanidae) [Internet]. 2003. Available from: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3270&context=gradschool_dissertations