Chrysophrys auratus

The Australasian snapper (Pagrus auratus) or silver seabream, is a species of porgie found in coastal waters of Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Japan and New Zealand. Its distribution areas in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are disjunct. Although it is almost universally known in Australia and New Zealand as snapper, it does not belong to the Lutjanidae family of snappers. It is highly prized as an eating fish. The taxonomic status of this species is being debated, and it may be referred to as either Pagrus auratus or Chrysophrys auratus. Australia: cocknies (young smaller than legal size), red bream or pinkies (legal size), squire or squirefish (when bigger), snapper (at full size) Western Australia: 'pink snapper' to distinguish it from unrelated species Victoria: also schnapper (ref: Schnapper Point, Mornington)