Randallichthys

Lore & Background

Randall's snapper was first formally described in 1970 as Etelis filamentosus by 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 it into the monotypic genus Randallichthys. The specific name 'filamentosus' was given because the holotype had several caudal fin rays extended into filaments, although this is not a feature seen in other specimens. The genus name honors John Ernest Randall, an American ichthyologist at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, who contributed significantly to the study of Indo-Pacific fishes.

Reader's Guide

Randall's snapper is a species of commercial importance in places where it occurs, though of lesser importance. It is typically caught using hook and line, and its flesh is considered of good quality and sold fresh. The species is uncommon and may prove to be more widespread than currently known. It occurs in comparatively deep water between 150 and 380 meters over rocky substrates. Its distribution includes the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, with records from New Caledonia, the Hawaiian Islands, the Cook Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, Izu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Chuuk, Majuro, the Society Islands, Tonga, and scattered Australian localities including Esperance, Scott Reef, and Lord Howe Island. The fish has a relatively elongate body, short snout, blunt head, and a lunate caudal fin; young individuals may have filamentous lower lobe rays. Its overall color is rosy with a yellowish hue on the back, and fins have dark to black margins.

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 Randall's snapper.
• Randall's snapper was first described in 1970 by French ichthyologist Pierre Fourmanoir.
• The species is named for John Ernest Randall, an American ichthyologist who studied Indo-Pacific fishes.