Fingermark or moses perch ID/size question???

[land-lubber]

I have been fishing for many years, and have been under the impression that these are two differant species. the reason i ask is twofold; first, how do u tell the differance between the two species, if they are indeed differant, and secondly, have i been right in keeping moses perch that are 25cm, and if so, why doesnt the DPI size limit page make a VERY clear distinction between the two. it appears that moses are classed as sea perches (or similar) and are included in the general limits for that class, however, fingermark are in thier own section as 35cm. It is confusing, as the species look so similar and there is no specific mention of moses perch, leading some people believe that they are the same species, thus missing out on some very good tucker in the way of mp, as i have very rarely caught one over 30cm (land-based).
hope that makes sense
cheers

[PG]

There are quite a few species of Lutjanids and a few are commonly called Fingermark Bream or Moses Perch. From what I understand the main difference is the location of the spot on the body.
Check out Nugget's site on ausfish ( http://www.ausfish.com.au/nugget/articles/table.htm ) shows a distinction between sizes.

Some info off the DPI website.......

Moses Perch : http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/2543.html
Fingermark Bream : http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/2477.html

Seems the location of the blotch can be below the soft dorsal fins for Fingermark, or below the junction of the soft and hard spines of the dorsal fins for the Moses Perch.
Anyone else got more help? this has puzzled me in the past too.

[Cruiser]

Yes, I find this one very confusing myself. I can identify most fish but I'm never too sure with Moses vs Fingermark.

Like Paul.G said, the position of the blotch seems to have a bearing (although only a very slight difference between the two fish). And, from those same DPI sites, the pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are yellow in the Moses perch.

For two fish so similar yet such differing size and possession limits, one would have thought the DPI would provide a more positive way of differentiating them like they do with mackerel.

Chris.

[gogecko]

According to the DPI site, Fingermark are Tropical waters only, and also a larger species. So the species in SE Qld would be all Moses perch? Hmmm, I had one at 27cm last week and threw it back. Next time......

Yes, its confusing.

Andrew

[PG]

I doubt there is a more positive way of identifying them. The problem is that they are so close in appearance and they grow to very different sizes. As juveniles, Fingermark would look very similar to Moses Perch too I'd reckon.
Didn't seem to be any easier way to distinguish them so I'd be going with the blotch thing myself.

[land-lubber]

Thanks guys,
seems that i am not the only one confused #;) the problem i have is that im in Hervey bay, so theres a chance that i may stumble across a juvie fingermark at some stage, so id is important.
thanks for the help
cheers

[Bad_Bubby]

The anal fin on a juvenile fingermark is sometimes a give-away. Its flourescent yellow compared to the tawny yellow of a moses perch. Usually the last glimpse of em' I see before they are deployed back to where they came wearing a 9/0.

[Moffy]

agree at very small sizes, they are hard to tell apart, but at legal size for the moses perch - for me there is a very distinct difference between the two species, particularly in colouration and also the size and distinctness (is that a word) of the "spot".

bit hard to describe from memory though - just know them when i see them.

I am heading up the daintree this weekend for 4 days - so will try and get a photo of both to put on here, which should help out.

[Leo_N.]

Fingermark (or golden snapper) are more readily confused with mangrove jack than with moses perch. They are generally bronze to red in colour and have more of a blotchy mark as opposed to the more distinct, smaller and usually more oval mark of the moses perch. Moses perch usually has a silvery body with yellowish horizontal lines. The head is also a different shape, with the moses perch tending toward a convex forehead and the fingermark having a more rounded forehead.

Lutjanus russellii: Moses Perch: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=176&genusname=Lutjanus&speciesname=russellii

Lutjanus johnii: Fingermark or golden snapper:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=264&genusname=Lutjanus&speciesname=johnii

Lutjanus fluviflamma is the one that throws a bit of a spanner in the works, but it is only really confusable with the moses perch, and not the fingermark.

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=261&genusname=Lutjanus&speciesname=fulviflamma

[scuttlebutt]

fingermark are more bronze, with bigger scales. Moses are usually more pinkish, and the spot is usually more defined (my experience only)

cheers,

steve


FINGERMARK

[scuttlebutt]

MOSES

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

The moses perch is more of a 'pretty' fish and not as robust looking as the fingermark. The spot on the moses is also clearly defined as being a 'spot' as apposed to the fingermark which is more of a 'blur'. Fingermark definitely resemble a Mangrove Jack, a lot more so than a Moses Perch.

Just my thoughts
Dave