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Family Lutjanidae

INDO-WEST PACIFIC / HAWAII

Pristipomoides filamentosus

PINK SNAPPER    'ōpakapaka     O'ohime

Common along deep ledges from 250 to 750 feet but now depleted due to overfishing.  Robust purplish brown body with a bluntly rounded head and large mouth, the upper jaw bone extending past a vertical line below the front edge of the eye.  Feeds upon pelagic tunicates, small fishes and planktonic crustaceans.  The most important bottom fish popular for its versatile white flesh and delicate flavor, it is a member of the Deep Seven.  Larger and more palatable than the kalekale.  East Africa to Japan, Hawai'i and French Polynesia.

Kalekale and 'Opakapaka

kalekale (top) and 'ōpakapaka