Species
Chinaman Fish
Symphorus nematophorus
Tier 4Eating1/10medium tackleQLDWANT
0 waypoints50–80 cm (max 100 cm) typical
Regulations
QLD
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | — | — |
no-take species | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about chinaman fish
Striking yellow-striped tropical reef snapper of northern Australia — heavily implicated in ciguatera poisoning. Possession is banned in QLD as a 'no-take' species, and elsewhere in the tropics it is rarely eaten. Often a release-only catch.
Biology: Chinaman Fish size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 50–80 cm (max 100 cm)
- Weight
- 2–12 kg
- Depth range
- 10–100 m
- Diet
- fish, crustaceans
- Global range
- Indo-West Pacific
How to target: Chinaman Fish angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- bait on offshore reef (release recommended)
Safety & handling
Inedible — toxicDo not consume. This species carries toxins that survive cooking.
Ciguatera risk: highAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught chinaman fish
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More information: chinaman fish references & sources
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