LUTJANIDAE


Aphareus rutilans, 21.0 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Aphareus rutilans, 16.6 cm SL
(from Mie Pref., Japan; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Aphareus rutilans
Cuvier, 1830
Rusty Jobfish

D X, 11; A III, 8; P1 15-16; LLp 69-75; Lower GR 32-35.

Body elongate, laterally compressed. Roof of mouth toothless; teeth in jaws extremely small, minute in adults. Nostrils on each side of snout close together. Lower jaw protruding. Premaxillae not protrusible. Scale rows on back parallel with lateral line. Color: blue-gray to oval reddish; margin of maxilla black. Fins yellowish to reddish except pelvic and anal fins, sometimes whitish. Size: maximum length 80 cm. Distribution: widespread in the Indo-Pacific from Eas t Af r ic a to Hawai i and f rom southern Japan southward to northeastern Australia. Remarks: occurring usually in around reefs and rocky bottom areas, at depths from shallow waters to 200 m. Occurs solitarily or small groups, feeding on fishes and crustaceans. Often seen in markets in large adults (over 60 cm).(Yukio Iwatsuki)