Chinamanfish (Symphorus nematophorus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Symphorus.

Accepted name: Symphorus nematophorus · Authority: (Bleeker, 1860) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 282915.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Glabrilutjanus nematophorus (Bleeker, 1860); Lutianus nematophorus (Bleeker, 1860); Lutjanus nematophorus (Bleeker, 1860); Mesoprion nematophorus Bleeker, 1860; Paradicichthys venenatus Whitley, 1930; Symphorus forsteri Fowler, 1933; Symphorus taenilatus Günther, 1872; Symphorus taeniolatus Günther, 1872; Symporichthys nematophorus (Bleeker, 1860).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282915 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Symphorus nematophorus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 100 cm · Common length: 35 cm · Depth range: 20–100 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 48.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coral reefs, from shallow water to depths of at least 50 m. They occur singly. They feed mainly on fishes. Frequently ciguatoxic in certain areas. Sold in Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). It causes ciguatera poisoning in some areas. Banned for sale in Australia. (Ref. 90102)

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 215) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Symphorus-nematophorus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,858 georeferenced occurrence records for Symphorus nematophorus are published through GBIF from 11 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 162 distinct locations from a sample of 1,858 records, omitting 11 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (1,781); New Caledonia (27); Philippines (24); Indonesia (9); Chinese Taipei (6).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385261) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385261&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282915 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Symphorus nematophorus (Bleeker, 1860) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 194347) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194347/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385261) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385261/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Chinamanfish was first formally described in 1860 by the Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker as Mesoprion nematophorus with the type locality given as Badjoa on Sulawesi. the German-born British ichthyologist Albert Günther Symphorus in 1872. The genus Symphorus is one of two genera in the subfamily Paradicichthyinae of the snapper family Lutjanidae. The genus name Symphorus was not explained by Günther but it may be a compound of sym, meaning "together with" and phorus meaning "bearer", a possible a reference to its undivided dorsal fin. The specific name nematophorus is also a compound, this time having "nemato" meaning "thread" prefixing phorus, a reference to the projection of at least one the anterior rays of the dorsal fins in to filaments in the younger specimens.

The Chinamanfish has a body which is deep and laterally compressed, with a steep dorsal profile of the head. There is a deep slit between the eyes and the nostrils. The mouth extends as far back as the centre of the eye. There is no incision or protuberance on the preoperculum. The jaws have thin bands of teeth with the outer band having enlarged teeth, these are canione-like at the front of the upper jaw. There is no patch of vomerine teeth and there is a patch of granular teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin has 10 spine and 15-16 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 9 soft rays. At least one of the anterior dorsal fin rays is projected into a long filamentous thread in juveniles and sub-adults. The pectoral fins are long, extending as far as the level of the anus and contain 16 fin rays. The caudal fin is emarginate. This species attains a maximum total length of 100 cm, although of 35 cm is more typical. and a maximum published weight of13.2 kg. The overall colour of this snapper is greyish-brown to reddish frequently broken by thick irregular light and dark vertical bars on the flanks. The juveniles are light orange to brownish, with irregular bluish lines and spots on the head and flanks, and more numerous long filamentous dorsal-fin rays than the adults.

The Chinamanfish is a widely distributed species in the West Pacific Ocean from the Andaman Sea and western Thailand east to Fiji and Tonga and from northern Australia and New Caledonia north to the Ryukyu Islands. It is found at depths of less than 50 m. It is found on coastal reefs.

The Chinamanfish is typically encountered as solitary fishes but a breeding aggregation has been recorded off Palau. It is mainly piscivorous. The maximum longevity of this species is 36 years.

The Chinamanfish is taken mostly with handlines and also by spearfishing. Its flesh is considered to be excellent eating, however in Queensland and Vanuatu it is considered dangerous, and Australia bans its sale, due to the risk of ciguatera.

Source: Wikipedia: Chinamanfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinamanfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.