Goldflag jobfish (Pristipomoides auricilla)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Pristipomoides auricilla · Authority: (Jordan, Evermann & Tanaka, 1927) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218512.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Arnillo auricilla Jordan, Evermann & Tanaka, 1927.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218512 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 45 cm · Common length: 25 cm · Depth range: 90–360 m · Habitat zone: benthopelagic · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 32.8 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults are found over rocky bottoms; off Guam, caught most abundantly from 180 to 270 m (Ref. 55). They feed on fishes and salps. Marketed fresh (Ref. 55).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 200) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pristipomoides-auricilla.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

116 georeferenced occurrence records for Pristipomoides auricilla are published through GBIF from 19 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 34 distinct locations from a sample of 116 records, omitting 4 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: Solomon Islands (29); French Polynesia (20); New Caledonia (10); United States of America (9); Australia (6); Chinese Taipei (6); Japan (5); Mauritius (5); Philippines (5); Northern Mariana Islands (4); Cocos (Keeling) Islands (3); Indonesia (3); Réunion (3); Wallis and Futuna (3); Christmas Island (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Chagos.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385174) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385174&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218512 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Pristipomoides auricilla (Jordan, Evermann & Tanaka, 1927) 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 194351) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194351/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385174) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385174/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Pristipomoides auricilla Was first formally described in 1927 by David Starr Jordan, Barton Warren Evermann and Shigeho Tanaka with the type locality given as Honolulu. The specific name auricilla means "gold tail", a reference to the yellow upper caudal fin lobe.

Pristipomoides auricilla has an elongated but robust body. The space between the eyes is flattened, the jaws are roughly equal in length, although sometimes the lower protrudes slightly. There is an outer row of conical and canine teeth and an inner band of bristle-like teeth on each jaw.

There is a triangular patch of vomerine teeth but there are no teeth on tongue. The caudal fin is forked. The dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 11 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays, the final ray on each of these fins is extended into a filament. The long pectoral fins extend as far as the anus.

The overall colour of the body is purple to brownish purple marked with many yellow spots and in distinct yellow chevrons. The upper lobe of the caudal fin is yellow and the dorsal fin is yellowish. This fish attains a maximum total length of 45 cm, although 25 cm is more typical.

Pristipomoides auricilla Has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution which extends from the Comoros Islands in the east to Hawaii, south to Australia and New Caledonia and north to Japan.

Pristipomoides auricilla is found at depths between 80 and 360 m, where they are found over rock reefs and rock substrates. They are predatory, feeding on other fishes, tunicates and salps.

Pristipomoides auricilla is fished for using deep handlines. In some area, such as the Marianas, it is subjected to heavy fishing pressure. This species is sold fresh.

Source: Wikipedia: Pristipomoides auricilla — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristipomoides_auricilla (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.