A rare capture of two Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) (Richardson, 1846) off southern Western Australia, including their otolith characteristics and age
P. G. Coulson
A B E and G. I. Moore C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, PO Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia.
B Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
C Fish Section, Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, PO Box 49 Welshpool DC, WA 6986, Australia.
D School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: peter.coulson@dpird.wa.gov.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 68(3) 145-149 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO21020
Submitted: 25 May 2021 Accepted: 13 August 2021 Published: 30 August 2021
Abstract
Due to advances in fish-finding equipment and vessel capabilities, commercial and recreational fishers are now regularly accessing deep waters off the edge of the continental shelf and catching fish species that are rarely encountered in shallower waters or that have not previously been caught. This study details the capture of two Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii) in deep, offshore waters on the south coast of Western Australia, and in waters further south than previously encountered. This study also provides the first age estimates from counts of growth (opaque) zones in sectioned sagittal otoliths. The estimated ages of 8 years for both individuals, one female and the other male, are much lower than what would have been expected based on age estimates for this species derived from scales undertaken in an earlier study. Understanding the biological characteristics of these deepwater fish species will assist in future management of these resources.
Keywords: Emmelichthyidae, benthopelagic, otoliths, Erythrocles, Indian Ocean.
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