Pristipomoides flavipinnis
A Pacific snapper with yellowish fins and commercial value.
The golden eye jobfish, also known as the golden eye snapper, is a ray-finned fish belonging to the snapper family Lutjanidae. Its range covers the Pacific Ocean.
Japanese zoologist Shiro Shinohara first described this species in 1963, basing the description on a specimen from the Naha Fish Market on Okinawa in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. The species name *flavipinnis* means “yellow fins,” referring to the yellowish tint on its dorsal and anal fins.
This fish has an elongated, sturdy body, with a depth roughly one-third of its standard length. The area between its eyes is flat, and its lower jaw sticks out. Both jaws feature an outer row of conical and canine-like teeth, plus an inner row of bristle-like teeth; the lower jaw’s front canines are enlarged. A triangular patch of vomerine teeth is present, but the tongue has none. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Neither fin has scales at its base, and the last soft ray of each extends into a short filament. The long pectoral fins, with 16 rays, reach as far as the anus. The caudal fin is forked. The back and upper sides are pale pinkish, fading to silvery on the lower sides and belly. Dark spots appear on top of the head. In life, the dorsal fin shows a yellowish margin. Maximum total length is 50 cm (20 in), though 35 cm (14 in) is more typical.
The species lives in the Pacific Ocean, from western Thailand and Southeast Asia east to Tahiti, north to Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, and south to Australia. It inhabits depths between 90 and 360 m (300–1,180 ft) over rocky bottoms.
Its diet consists mainly of bottom-dwelling fishes, supplemented by crustaceans, squids, and pelagic tunicates. Sexual maturity is reached at 2.3 years, with a mean reproductive lifespan of 8.5 years. Spawning occurs year-round, peaking from December to February.
Commercially, this snapper is targeted by fisheries, mostly caught with bottom longlines and handlines. It appears often in fish markets across parts of its range and is exported from Fiji. Because of its smaller size, it is frequently used for deep frying.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pristipomoides flavipinnis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pristipomoides flavipinnis was first formally described in 1963 by Japanese zoologist Shiro Shinohara, with the type locality given as Naha Fish Market on Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. The specific name flavipinnis means 'yellow fins', a reference to the yellowish colour of the dorsal fin and the anal fin. The species has an elongated, robust body with a depth about a third of its standard length, a flat interorbital space, and a protruding lower jaw. Its jaws contain outer conical and canine-like teeth and inner bristle-like teeth, with enlarged anterior canines on the lower jaw. The vomerine teeth form a triangular patch, and the tongue is toothless. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 soft rays, the anal fin 3 spines and 8 soft rays; both fins lack scales on their bases, and the last soft ray of each is extended into a short filament. The pectoral fins are long, reaching the anus, with 16 rays, and the caudal fin is forked. The back and upper flanks are pale pinkish, fading to silvery on the lower flanks and abdomen, with dark spots on top of the head; the dorsal fin has a yellowish margin in life.
Reader's Guide
Pristipomoides flavipinnis is a target species for commercial fisheries, mainly caught using bottom longlines and handlines. It is frequently seen in fish markets in parts of its range and is exported from Fiji. Its smaller size means it is more frequently used in deep frying. The species occurs in the Pacific Ocean from western Thailand and southeastern Asia east to Tahiti, north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and south to Australia, at depths between 90 and 360 m over rocky substrates. It feeds mainly on benthic fishes, supplemented by crustaceans, squids, and pelagic tunicates. Sexual maturity is reached at 2.3 years, with a mean reproductive period of 8.5 years; spawning occurs year-round, peaking between December and February. The species attains a maximum total length of 50 cm, though 35 cm is more typical.
Did You Know?
- It was first described in 1963 by Japanese zoologist Shiro Shinohara from specimens at Naha Fish Market, Okinawa.
- It has a maximum total length of 50 cm, but 35 cm is more typical.
- Spawning peaks between December and February.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pristipomoides flavipinnis?
It's a ray-finned fish in the snapper family (Lutjanidae), commonly called the golden eye jobfish or golden eye snapper, and it ranges across the Pacific Ocean.
What does the species name flavipinnis actually mean?
The name is Latin for 'yellow fins,' a nod to the yellowish tint that shows up on the dorsal and anal fins of this fish.
Who described Pristipomoides flavipinnis and where did the type specimen come from?
Japanese zoologist Shiro Shinohara published the original species description in 1963, working from a specimen he obtained at the Naha Fish Market on Okinawa in Japan's Ryukyu Islands.
How large does Pristipomoides flavipinnis typically grow?
Most individuals top out around 35 cm (14 in) in total length, though the species can reach a maximum of roughly 50 cm (20 in).
At what depths does Pristipomoides flavipinnis live, and is it commercially important?
This Pacific snapper is found at depths of about 90 to 360 m (300 to 1,180 ft), and it does carry some commercial value as a food fish.
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