Wildlife of the Month - Golden Snapper
Anna Clague Jan 29, 2025
Centroberyx affinis
Habitat - Golden snapper generally live in the same area over its lifetime. Found around Australia and and New Zealand at depths between 10 and 450 metres. Most abundant in approx. 100m. Generally nocturnal they prefer the darkness of deeper water but can be found shallower in the shade of deep cracks and crevasses in the reef. They hang in mid water whilst slowly swimming and do not rest on the bottom. Its young live in estuaries and shallow coastal waters.
Feeding – They are nocturnal so feeding is triggered by declining light. They split up at night to begin to rise and feed on plankton, krill and small fish, dropping down again at sun rise. They seem to hang motionless in the water, moving in a start-stop manner in order to be able to estimate the movement of its prey. It has adapted to intercept prey rather than pursuing it.
Size - Golden snapper are very slow growing, reaching a maximum length of 55cm with a life span of 30-40 years.
Breeding habits - reproductive maturity at 4‑7 years of age. Spawning occurs during late summer and autumn. Probably serial spawners. Fertility is not well known but is thought to be low, with females potentially producing 20000‑50000 eggs per spawning season.
Defense - There are small spines on the gill plate that can cause a very painful sting,
Description - Unlike their name, they are not a snapper at all being more closely related to orange roughy. They have a large head and eyes and an oblique mouth. Golden snapper or red snapper are named after their red body colour. They look like a very large goldfish.
