Animal Species:Redfish, Centroberyx affinis (Günther, 1859)
The Redfish has large eyes and an oblique mouth that extends back to the posterior margin of the eye. The species is endemic to Australia.
Eastern Nannygai, Golden Snapper, King Snapper, Koarea, Nannygai, Red Snapper, Red Squirrel-fish
The Redfish has a moderately deep, compressed body and a large head with serrated opercular and preopercular margins . It has large eyes and an oblique mouth that extends back to the posterior margin of the eye.
There is a single dorsal fin and an anal fin positioned on the lower margin of the body, opposite the soft rayed portion of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked.
Redfish are usually silvery-red with pale spots on the scales forming stripes.
The species grows to 51 cm in length.
Redfish only found in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to northern Tasmania.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
The Redfish is mostly found in deep coastal and offshore waters. Juveniles sometimes enter estuaries.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Redfish is a schooling species.
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Kuiter, R.H. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Redfish, Nannygai, Centroberyx affinis, Berycidae, oblique mouth, endemic to Australia, Eastern Nannygai, Golden Snapper, King Snapper, Koarea, Red Snapper, Red Squirrel-fish, deep body, compressed body, silvery-red, pale spots, dots/spots, 30 cm - 1 m, deep coastal water, offshore water, schooling species,