Crimson jobfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crimson jobfish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The crimson jobfish (Pristipomoides filamentosus) is a type of ray-finned fish. It is part of the snapper family, called Lutjanidae. People also call it the rosy snapper, bluespot jobfish, or king snapper. This fish lives in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, reaching as far as Hawaii and Tahiti. It is important for local fishing and is also a popular game fish for sport. In Hawaii, it is one of the "Deep Seven" fish species.
Contents
Naming the Crimson Jobfish
The crimson jobfish was first officially described in 1830. A French zoologist named Achille Valenciennes gave it the scientific name Serranus filamentosus. The name filamentosus means "filament-like." This refers to the thin, thread-like parts on its dorsal and anal fins.
What Does the Crimson Jobfish Look Like?
The crimson jobfish has a long, strong body. Its body is about one-third as deep as its total length. The area between its eyes is flat, and its lower jaw sticks out a little. In both its upper and lower jaws, it has an outer row of cone-shaped teeth. It also has an inner band of small, brush-like teeth.
Its dorsal fin has 10 strong spines and 12 soft rays. The anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The last soft ray on both these fins extends into a short filament. Its pectoral fins are long and have 15 or 16 rays. The tail fin is forked, meaning it splits into two parts.
This fish can be brownish, pinkish, lavender, or reddish-purple. It often has thin yellow lines and blue spots on its snout and between its eyes. The dorsal and tail fins are usually pale blue or lavender with reddish-orange edges. The crimson jobfish can grow up to 100 cm (39 in) (about 3.3 feet) long. However, it is more common to find them around 50 cm (20 in) (about 1.6 feet) long. The heaviest recorded fish weighed 8.2 kg (18 lb) (about 18 pounds).
Where Does the Crimson Jobfish Live?
The crimson jobfish lives in a wide area across the Indo-Pacific region. You can find it along the eastern coast of Africa, from the Red Sea down to South Africa. It also lives around islands and coasts in the Indian Ocean. In the Pacific, its range goes east to Hawaii and Tahiti, north to Japan, and south to Australia.
In Australia, it is found from Western Australia, north into the Timor Sea, and east to the Great Barrier Reef. It lives in deep waters, usually between 40 and 360 m (130 and 1,180 ft) (about 130 to 1,180 feet) deep. It prefers rocky areas and reefs on the ocean floor.
Life Cycle and Habits
The crimson jobfish is a nocturnal feeder, meaning it hunts at night. It swims up closer to the surface of the water to find food. It eats small fish, crustaceans (like crabs and shrimp), and other small sea creatures.
In the Seychelles, these fish lay their eggs (spawn) between October and April. The busiest time for spawning is from February to April and again in November. In Hawaii, spawning happens between March and December, with the peak from May to September. This fish grows slowly and can live for a long time. The oldest crimson jobfish ever recorded was 44 years old!
Parasites of the Crimson Jobfish
Like many animals, the crimson jobfish can have parasites. These are small organisms that live on or inside another animal. Some known parasites of the crimson jobfish include a type of isopod called Anilocra gigantea. It can also have a copepod called Lernaeolophus sultanus and certain types of nematode worms.
Fishing for Crimson Jobfish
The crimson jobfish is an important fish for commercial fishing. Fishermen catch it using long lines with many hooks or deep handlines. Most of the time, the fish are sold fresh because their meat is considered very good quality.
In Hawaii, this fish is known as opakapaka. It is highly valued and is the second most important fish caught by handline fishermen. It makes up about 20% of their total catch of bottom-dwelling fish. The best time to fish for opakapaka in Hawaii is from October to February.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of crimson jobfish in the Seychelles was too low for a while. However, the fish population is now recovering. In 2009, the amount of crimson jobfish caught dropped sharply to 4,400 tonnes from 25,300 tonnes the year before.Template:KIDDLE XL START
See also
In Spanish: Pristipomoides filamentosus para niños Template:KIDDLE XL END
