Pristipomoides multidens
A deepwater snapper with golden stripes and excellent flesh.
The goldbanded jobfish, also known as the goldbanded snapper, is a ray-finned fish in the family Lutjanidae. It is a deepwater, demersal species that lives over hard, rocky, and bumpy substrates at depths between 40 and 245 meters. Its body is elongated and robust, with a depth about one-third of its standard length. The space between its eyes is flat, and its lower jaw protrudes slightly. The fish has an outer row of conical and canine-like teeth in both jaws, with the front two to three pairs of canines enlarged, plus an inner band of bristle-like teeth. The vomerine teeth form a triangular patch, and the tongue has no teeth. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 11 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays; both fins lack scales at their bases, and their last soft ray extends into a short filament. The long pectoral fins reach the anus and have 15 or 16 rays, and the caudal fin is forked. Coloration ranges from yellowish to pale pink, marked with six interrupted golden stripes on the flanks. The snout side and cheek have two blue-edged golden stripes, and the crown shows a series of yellow chevrons pointing toward the snout. The dorsal fin has yellowish stripes or lines of spots. This species reaches a maximum total length of 90 cm, though 70 cm is more typical.
The goldbanded jobfish was first formally described in 1871 as *Mesoprion multidens* by English zoologist Francis Day, with the type locality given as the Andaman Islands. Its specific name combines *multi* (many) and *dens* (teeth), referring to the six canine teeth in the lower jaw and the two larger ones in the upper jaw. An older name, *Diacope sparus*, was coined by Temminck and Schlegel in 1842 and has been considered a synonym, but it is uncertain which taxon the supposed type specimen of *D. sparus* represents.
This snapper has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution, occurring along the eastern African coast in Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa, in the Red Sea, and across the Indian Ocean (excluding the Arabian Sea) into the Pacific, where its range extends east to Samoa, north to Japan, and south to Australia. It is a sociable species that forms schools over hard, rocky, and uneven seabeds near steep drop-offs. Like other snappers, it is predatory, feeding on fishes, crustaceans, squids, gastropods, and urochordates.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pristipomoides multidens
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pristipomoides multidens was first formally described in 1871 by the English zoologist Francis Day as Mesoprion multidens, with its type locality given as the Andaman Islands. The specific name is a compound of 'multi' meaning 'many' and 'dens' meaning 'teeth', referring to the six canine teeth in the lower jaw and the two larger ones in the upper jaw. An older name, Diacope sparus, coined by Temminck and Schlegel in 1842, has been considered a synonym, but it is not certain which taxon is represented by the specimen purported to be the type of D. sparus.
The species has an elongated, robust body with a depth roughly a third of its standard length. It has a flat space between the eyes and a slightly protruding lower jaw. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 11 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The overall colour is yellowish to pale pink marked with six interrupted golden stripes on the flanks, and the side of the snout and cheek have a pair of blue-edged golden stripes. The crown has a series of yellow chevrons pointing toward the snout.
Pristipomoides multidens is a sociable species that forms schools over hard, rocky, and uneven sea beds near steep drop-offs. It is predatory, feeding on fishes, crustaceans, squids, gastropods, and urochordates. Some studies suggest it is a serial spawner, while others suggest it is a multiple spawner; eggs are scattered in open water.
Reader's Guide
Pristipomoides multidens holds significant commercial value throughout much of its range, especially in Australia and Indonesia, where it is targeted by both artisanal and commercial fisheries. Its flesh is considered excellent eating and is frequently found in fish markets, albeit normally in small amounts. The principal method used to catch this species is handlining. The species is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the eastern African coast (Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa) and the Red Sea, across the Indian Ocean (excluding the Arabian Sea), into the Pacific as far east as Samoa, north to Japan, and south to Australia. It inhabits deep waters between 40 and 245 meters over hard, rocky, and bumpy substrates. Its sociable schooling behavior and predatory diet contribute to its ecological role, and its reproductive strategy—producing between 296,000 and 2,800,000 eggs per female per year, with a pelagic larval stage thought to last 40 days—supports its population across this wide range.
Did You Know?
- The specific name 'multidens' means 'many teeth', referring to the six canine teeth in the lower jaw and two larger ones in the upper jaw.
- It was first described in 1871 by English zoologist Francis Day from the Andaman Islands.
- The species can reach a maximum total length of 90 cm (35 in), though 70 cm (28 in) is more typical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pristipomoides multidens?
Pristipomoides multidens, commonly called the goldbanded jobfish or goldbanded snapper, is a deepwater ray-finned fish belonging to the snapper family Lutjanidae. It was first formally described in 1871 by Francis Day under the name Mesoprion multidens, with type specimens collected from the Andaman Islands.
What does Pristipomoides multidens look like?
The fish has an elongated, robust body whose depth is roughly one-third of its standard length, a flat interorbital region, and a slightly overhanging lower jaw. Its jaws carry an outer row of conical, canine-like teeth with the front two or three pairs noticeably enlarged, backed by an inner band of bristle-like teeth, and the vomerine teeth form a triangular patch. Golden stripes run along its body, giving it the 'goldbanded' name.
Where does Pristipomoides multidens live?
It is a demersal, deepwater species that patrols hard, rocky, and bumpy substrates well below the surface, typically found between 40 and 245 meters (about 131 to 804 feet). It is not a shallow-water reef dweller but a true deep-sea snapper.
How big does Pristipomoides multidens grow?
A typical adult reaches around 70 cm (28 in) in total length, though the species can grow to a maximum of 90 cm (35 in). At that size it is a substantial deepwater predator with excellent flesh, making it a prized catch where it is harvested.
How does Pristipomoides multidens reproduce?
A single female can produce anywhere from roughly 296,000 to 2,800,000 eggs in a year, a wide range that reflects the variability in spawning output among individuals. This high fecundity is a key part of its life-history strategy in the deepwater environment.
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