Randall's snapper (Randallichthys filamentosus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Randallichthys filamentosus · Authority: (Fourmanoir, 1970) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 282547.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Etelis filamentosus Fourmanoir, 1970; Etelis nudimaxillaris Yoshino & Araga in Masuda, Araga & Yoshino, 1975.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282547 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 50 cm · Common length: 40 cm · Depth range: 150–300 m · Habitat zone: benthopelagic · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 44.4 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults are found on rocky bottoms in relatively deep water (Ref. 55). Marketed fresh (Ref. 55).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 212) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Randallichthys-filamentosus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

47 georeferenced occurrence records for Randallichthys filamentosus are published through GBIF from 8 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 13 distinct locations from a sample of 47 records, omitting 2 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: United States Minor Outlying Islands (15); United States of America (14); Australia (5); Japan (5); American Samoa (3); New Caledonia (3); Northern Mariana Islands (1); Chinese Taipei (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385218) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385218&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282547 (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 Randallichthys filamentosus (Fourmanoir, 1970) 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 194400) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194400/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385218) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385218/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

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.

Etymology

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.

Description

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 spine have no scales on their bases. The short pectoral fins do not extend as far as the anus and contains 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. This species attains a maximum total length of 50 cm, although 40 cm is more typical.

Distribution and habitat

Randall's snapper is found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. This species has been recorded from New Caledonia, the type locality, 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 at depths between 150 and 380 m over rocky substrates.

Fisheries

Randall's snapper is a species which is of commercial importance in places in which it occurs, albeit of lesser importance, and they are typically caught using hook and line. The flesh is considered to be of good quality and is sold fresh.

Source: Wikipedia: Randall's snapper — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall%27s_snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.