Randall's snapper

Lore & Background

Randall's snapper was first formally described in 1970 as Etelis filamenosus by the French ichthyologist Pierre Fourmanoir, with the type locality given as New Caledonia. In 1977, William D. Anderson Jr, Harry T. Kami and G. David Johnson placed E. filamentosus into the monotypic genus Randallichthys. The specific name means 'filamentous', which Fourmanoir gave it because the holotype had several caudal fin rays which extended into filaments, although this is not a feature seen in other specimens. The name of the genus honours the American ichthyologist John Ernest Randall, who worked at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, and who made a significant contribution to the study of Indo-Pacific fishes. Randall's snapper has a relatively elongate body with a short snout, blunt head and a flattened space between the eyes. The lower jaw is protruding. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a chevron and there are no teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 9 soft rays, both these fins have no scales on their bases. The short pectoral fins do not extend as far as the anus and contain 16-17 rays. The caudal fin is lunate and in young individuals the rays of the lower lobe may be produced into filaments. The overall colour of this fish is rosy with a yellowish hue on the back. The dorsal fin is greyish yellow and the anal and caudal fins are rosy. All of these fins, as well as the pelvic fins, have dark to black margins. Randall's snapper is found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It has been recorded from New Caledonia, the Hawaiian Islands, the Cook Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, Izu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Chuuk, Majuro, the Society Islands and Tonga. It has also been found at scattered localities around Australia, off Esperance on the southern coast of Western Australia, Scott Reef off northwestern Western Australia and Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. This is an uncommon species and will probably be proven to be more widespread. It occurs in comparatively deep water over rocky substrates.

Reader's Guide

Randall's snapper is a species of commercial importance in places in which it occurs, albeit of lesser importance. They are typically caught using hook and line. The flesh is considered to be of good quality and is sold fresh. The species attains a maximum total length of 50 cm (20 in), although 40 cm (16 in) is more typical. Its distribution spans the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, with records from numerous island groups and scattered Australian localities. The species is uncommon and may be more widespread than currently known. Its placement in the monotypic genus Randallichthys, named after John Ernest Randall, underscores its taxonomic distinctiveness among snappers.

Did You Know?

• The holotype of Randall's snapper had several caudal fin rays extended into filaments, but this feature is not seen in other specimens.
• The genus Randallichthys is monotypic, containing only this species.
• The species was originally described in 1970 as Etelis filamenosus by Pierre Fourmanoir.
• Randall's snapper is found at depths between 150 and 380 m over rocky substrates.