Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Long torpedo-shaped body with forked caudal fin. Body greenish or bluish grey darker dorsally lightening ventrally. Large diamond-shaped scales on body, those on back parallel 
with lateral line.

Basal portion of 5 posterior spinous dorsal membranes with dark blotches. Head moderately elongate with relatively blunt snout and prominent groove in front of eye. 
Distinct canines in front of jaw.

Maturity: Lm 44.9 cm FL. Range unknown: 42-50 cm FL. Max Length 112 cm TL.

(The max size of 112 cm TL was reported from Seychelles (de Moussac 1988). The maturity ranges described above are from a Hawaiian study. Research in Seychelles indicates an 
Lm50 at over 60 cm TL (de Moussac 1988, MRAG 1995). 
 

Adults inhabit open waters of deep lagoons, channels, or seaward coral and rocky reefs (depth 0-180 m). Solitary or in small groups. Feeds on fishes, crabs, shrimps 
and cephalopods.

This species is not protected or but is subject to fishery regulations (see below). It is caught in the hand line fishery, it is a common and often abundant component of the 
catch. 

On the 6th of February 2020 the provsions of the Mahe Plateau trap and line fishery were gazetted and became law. This included a minimum retention size for Aprion virescens 
of 32 cm Fork Length (FL). It is to be noted that this size is well below the Lm50 (i.e. mean size at maturity) for the species and that this therefore is an interim measure 
until such time as Phase 2 of the plan identifes the local Lm50 for the species. 

Following media coverage it appears enforcement of this regulation commenced in June 2022. 

Bray, D.J. Aprion virescens in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1237 (23/03/19),
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Aprion-virescens (23/03/19).
Heemstra P & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.
Moussac de, G. (1988). Synthese des donnees sur la peche artisanale aux Seychelles, biologie-resources-exploitation. SFA/R&D/006. 64 p.
MRAG (1995). The Status of Seychelles Demersal Fishery. Technical Report. The ODA Fish Management Science Programme, Management of Tropical Multi-species Fisheries project, 
R4584. MRAG LTD 1995.
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.
Russell, B. et al. (2016). Aprion virescens. The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T194379A2326417.en. (23/03/19).
 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019).  Aprion virescens, Green jobfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/aprion-virescens-valenciennes-1830/ (updated 18/07/22).