The lavender jobfish, Pristipomoides sieboldii

The lavender jobfish, Pristipomoides sieboldii was recently recorded from the southeastern Arabian Sea, based on a single specimen collected from trawl net fishery off Kollam, Southwest coast of India, representing a rare occurrence. The specimen was identified based on morphometric and meristic characters. The presence of a diamond-shaped tooth patch on the vomer with medial posterior extension, a heart-shaped villiform tooth patch on the tongue and scales on the cleithrum are the key identification characters of this species. The distinguishing meristic characters include pored lateral line scale count of 73 and gill raker count on lower limb of the first arch (including rudiments) of 20. The present report provides complete taxonomic description of the specimen from Indian waters for the first time and also contributes towards a better understanding of the regional diversity of snappers along the Southwest coast of India. The lavender jobfish caught by handlines and hand-operated pole-and-lines catch fish with one or more fishing lines with baited hooks. The lines may or may not be attached to poles, and reels are often used to operate and retrieve the catch. These gears are used to catch cod, rockfish, tuna, and many other species.

Pristipomoides sieboldii has an elongated, robust body which has a depth of roughly 30–40% of its standard lenght. The space between the eyes is flat and it has a slightly protruding lower jaw. In both upper and lower jaws there is an outer row of conical and canine-like teeth and an inner band of bristle-like teeth. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a diamond-shaped patch and there are teeth on the tongue. The dorsal finhas 10 spines and 11 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The bases of both the dorsal and anal fins lack scales and the last soft ray of each of these fins is extended into a short filament. The pectoral fins are long extending as far as the anus and contain 16 rays. The caudal fin is forked. The overall colour is silvery with a lavender tint. The top of the head is marked with dark spots which are more noticeable in younger fish. The dorsal fin has an orange margin while the caudal fin is purplish with a pale margins on the fork. This species attains a maximum total lenght of 79 cm (31 in), although 40 cm (16 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 8.6 kg (19 lb).