Fairly common along deep ledges from 600 to 1000
feet but now depleted due to overfishing. Red body with a pointed
head, large eyes, a pair of large conical teeth on the upper jaw, and a deeply
forked tail with elongate tips in adults. Feeds upon small fish and crustaceans. Attains 4 feet and at least 28 pounds.
The most valuable deepwater snapper because of its fine white flesh and
beauty when served whole, it is a member of the Deep
Seven. The traditional Hawaiian
name
'ula'ula
koa'e
is rarely used today having been replaced by the Japanese word onaga,
which means 'long tail'. East Africa
to Japan, Hawai'i
and French Polynesia. |