Aphareus rutilans

The rusty jobfish is a coastal predator reminiscent of the sea bass or the dentex snapper. It is also similar to its cousin the green jobfish, but its size is smaller. It is recognizable by its slit jaw, its pinkish tinge and a dark vertical bar on the gill cover.

It is anatomically very close to the small tooth jobfish, aphareus furca, which is much smaller.

Aphareus rutilans is a beautiful fish that generally lives deeper so it is rarely seen in diving.

In coastal areas, juveniles are more frequently observed hunting in small groups on mixed sand-coral areas. It is also common for them to hide behind the surgeonfish. Curious, they come respond positively to stalking and are entertaining to hunt despite their modest size, barely exceeding a kilo.

In the cooler season, July – October, the big ones come up, solitary or in schools, and it is possible to catch fish weighing several kilos.

Note the spectacular IUSA world record of a. rutilans captured in Indonesia by Justin Allen in 2013, 12.1 kg.

The rusty jobfish is excellent raw or cooked.