Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp teeth of golden snapper when handling them. To maximise their eating qualities they should be killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.

Fish Description:

• Colouration yellow/bronze to gold, shading to silvery white on belly. A large black blotch on the hind flanks mainly above the lateral line.
  
• Center of each scale often with a reddish-brown spot, giving an appearance of series of horizontal lines on side of body.
  
• These fish mature at around 45-50 cm long (males 4-5 years old) , or 50-65 cm long (females, 6-8 years old). Maximum age likely to exceed 20 years old.

Fish Distribution:

• This species occurs in tropical inshore waters throughout the Indo-west Pacific region from East Africa to Fiji, northern Australia to just
  
• south of Japan.
  
• Juveniles occur in mangrove lined estuaries, where they remain until they mature. Mature fish move offshore where adults are found on rocky or coral reefs, often in large schools, to depths of around 80 m.

Fish Size Common Length:

30-60 cm, maximum size around 100 cm and 12+ kg.