SPECIES

Ruby Snapper

Etelis carbunculus

Living in deep waters all over Northern and Western Australia, the Ruby Snapper is one of Australia’s best-tasting-fish-that-few-have-heard-of. Commercially ranging from around 40cm to well over a metre, a squid and crustacean rich diet makes for an uncommonly sweet flesh for such a large fish. The flesh is clear when raw and bright white when cooked, with leanish shoulder loins and a fatty, marbled belly. A good tip for using large fish is to plan a few meals in advance. Try belly sashimi for lunch on day one, followed by pan-fried fillet portions for dinner. On day two, deep-fry the wings for lunch and have the head poached in miso soup for dinner.

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Ruby Snapper

Method of Capture

Trawl,
Line

Region

Northern Australia

Other names

Long-tailed Snapper

Scientific Family

Etelis carbunculus

Seasonality

Available year round.

Size

Ranging from around 40cm to well over a metre long.

Price range

Medium priced.

Alternative Species

Other Snappers.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

Sold mainly whole (gilled and gutted). In whole fish look for lustrous skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell. In cutlets and fillets, look for bright white, firm, lustrous, moist flesh without any dark brown markings or oozing water, and with a pleasant fresh sea smell.

STORAGE TIPS

Make sure whole fish is scaled, gutted and cleaned thoroughly. Wrap whole fish, fillets and cutlets in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 days (it is best eaten as fresh as possible) or freeze for up to 3 months below -18ºC.

COOKING TIPS

Average yield is 50%. Moist and firm white flesh, with a rich, oceanic flavour. Score whole fish at the thickest part of the flesh to allow even heat penetration.

COOKING METHODS

Bake, barbecue, poach, pan-fry.

Flavour pairings

Bay, basil, citrus, curry, garlic, mustard, onion, oregano, pepper, red wine, tomatoes, vinegar.

IMPORTS

Some frozen imports.
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Developed with the assistance of grant funds from the Eat More NSW Seafood grant program, led by NSWDPI and NSWSIC.

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