Aprion virescens

Osteichthyes Lutjanidae Aprion virescens
Green jobfish AVR
41.9 cm TL
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Greenish to bluish grey, several dark blotches basally on dorsal fin.

Size:

Up to 110 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West and Central Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral and rocky reefs, from the surface to 120 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on fishes, but also cephalopods, shrimps, crabs and planktonic organisms. Green jobfish are usually solitary but sometimes form small groups. Mean age and length at which 50% of Green jobfish reach maturity is estimated at 3.3 years and 55.9 cm FL, respectively for both sexes.1 Green jobfish are multiple spawners.2 In waters off Palau, Green jobfish have been observed to aggregate and spawn along the outer reef slope from January to May, during and just after a full moon. In waters off Hawaii, spawning has been observed in May to October.3 Maximum age estimates vary depending on ageing method. Ageing via sectioned otoliths had higher estimates of 26 and 27 years.4,5

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught mainly with trolled lures, handlines, bottom longlines, and bottom trawls.

Similar species:

Aphareus rutilans
Rusty jobfish

Aphareus rutilans

Aphareus rutilans differs in having pectoral fins somewhat shorter than head (vs. short, less than 1/2 length of head) and premaxillae essentially not protrusible, attached to snout at symphysis by a frenum (vs. premaxillae protrusible, not attached to snout by frenum).

to Aphareus rutilans

Pristipomoides spp.

Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus
Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus

Pristipomoides species differ in having no groove on snout below nostrils (vs. groove present) and pectoral fins roughly equal than head length (vs. short, less than 1/2 length of head).

to Pristipomoides spp.
External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM

References:
  1. 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
  2. Myers RF. Micronesian reef fishes: a field guide for divers and aquarists. Coral Graphics Barrigada, Guam; 1999.
  3. Everson AR, Williams H, Ito B. Maturation and reproduction in two Hawaiian eteline snappers, uku, Aprion virescens, and onaga, Etelis coruscans. Fishery Bulletin. 1989;87(4):877–88.
  4. Loubens G. Biologie de quelques especes de poissons du lagon Neo-Caledonien. III. Croissance. 1980;
  5. Pilling GM, Millner RS, Easey MW, Mees CC, Rathacharen S, Azemia R. Validation of annual growth increments in the otoliths of the lethrinid Lethrinus mahsena and the lutjanid Aprion virescens from sites in the tropical Indian Ocean, with notes on the nature of growth increments in Pristipomoides filamentosus. Fishery Bulletin. 2000;98(3):600–600.