Red Snapper
Pagrus Auratus
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Quick Facts
Distribution
Interesting Info
- Red Snapper are a reef migrating schooling fish, living along the coast amongst reefs up to 200 m (660 ft) deep.
- They have a wide distribution being found in Japan, across South Pacific Islands, New Zealand and throughout Australia.
- Red Snapper are aggressive carnivores, feeding on smaller fish, crabs, mussels, worms & prawns.
- Estimated lifespan is similar to most snapper with an average between 3 to 8 years, with the oldest snapper going up to 40 years.
- Very large snapper may develop large contorted humps on their foreheads and have garnered the name “Old Man Snappers”.
- The main predators of Red Snapper include sharks, larger predatory fish.
Species Interaction
Commercial & Recreational Fishing
Red Snapper are a popular sports fish for all levels of fishing, known as a highly prized eating fish. They can be caught from shore or boat and are abundant throughout Australia. Snapper have a strong economic significance and are commercially fished and farmed. They are targeted with bottom trawlers and various hook and line techniques.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Pagrus
Species: Pagrus auratus
Conservation Status
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Red Snapper are currently categorised as “Least Concern”(LC).
LC is the lowest category on the scale for risk with “Extinct”(EX) being the highest.
How to catch
Red Snapper
Catch Difficulty: Moderate
Tackle: Paternoster rig, Running sinker rig, Artificial lure
Bait: Crab, Fresh cut fish bait, Hard-body lures, Pilchards, Prawns, Squid, Worms, Soft plastics, Slimy mackerel, Yellowtail scad
Technique: Fish bait near reef or structure
Popularity: Highly popular target species
