Rusty Jobfish

Max length : 110 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 79.0 cm SL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 11.3 kg

Family	Lutjanidae
Description	Snappers
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Malay, ikan lutjan, name of a fish
Genus	17
No. of Species	110
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Marine; rarely estuarine. Some species do enter freshwater for feeding. Tropical and subtropical: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Dorsal fin continuous or slightly notched. Spines in dorsal fin 10-12; soft rays 10-17. Three spines in anal fin; soft rays 7-11. Pelvic fins originating just behind pectoral base. Mouth moderate to large; terminal. Jaws bearing enlarged canine teeth. Palatine teeth small. Vomer usually with small teeth. Maxilla covered by preorbital with the mouth closed. Branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 24 (10 + 14). To about 1 m maximum length. Most species are predators of crustaceans and fishes, several are planktivores. Most do well in aquaria, but grow too fast. Valued as food fish but sometimes a cause of ciguatera. Generally demersal, down to depths of about 450 m.

Adults inhabit reefs and rocky bottom areas to depths of at least 100 m (Ref. 4887). Pelagic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on fishes, squids and crustaceans

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Maxilla extending to below middle of eye; interorbital space flattened. Dorsal and anal fins without scales. Generally blue-gray or mauve to overall reddish; fins yellowish to reddish except pelvic and anal fins which are sometimes whitish; margin of maxilla black.

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to Australia. Southeast Atlantic: Port Alfred, South Africa
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)