J, R - December 17, 2020

JOBFISH, RUSTY

Scientific Name:

Aphareus rutilans

Fish Group:

Reef Fish

Salt/Fresh:

Salt

Also Known As:

Rusty Jobfish; Ironjaw; Ironjaw Jobfish; Ironjaw Snapper; Small Tooth Jobfish (incorrect); JOBFISH, RUSTY

Rating:

Countries:

Australia

Description:

Rusty Jobfish like other Jobfish are a tough fighting, powerful fish found around reefs and bommies.are a tough fighting, powerful fish found around reefs, bommies and particular edges of reefs.

How To Identify:

A bluish-grey to mauve or reddish jobfish with yellowish to reddish dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins, and a dark margin on the upper jaw. The Rusty Jobfish is relatively slender with a very large deeply forked or lunate tail, and the last ray of dorsal and anal fins elongate.

How To Catch:

Jobfish are usually caught when fishing for other reef species, although a very welcome catch, especially for sport fisherman as they can be hard to locate in any sort of numbers. They will take most baits intended for other reef species but best baits are live small baitfish such as slimies or yakkas, however fresh flesh baits also work well. Jobfish will readily take a lure. Many are caught when targeting GT's or Coral trout around coral reef edges and bommies. They cannot seem to resist a small to medium size jig fished near the bottom.

Where Found:

Rusty Jobfish are found around the northern half of Australia, from central Queensland (Barrier reef) right around to the top of Western Australia. They love coral drop-offs and reef edges similar to the ground of a coral trout, however a bit more free swimming.

JOBFISH, RUSTY

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