Pink Maomao

The pink maomao has long and pointed pectoral fins, longer than the head, a long based dorsal fin and a caudal fin which is slightly forked. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 19-21 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7-9 soft rays. In specimens from the eastern specific there are 58-65 scales in the lateral line while in specimens from the western Pacific there are 61-71 lateral line scales. The females are an overall mauvish pink colour while the males are a similar colour but may show blackish blotches on the back and upper flanks and on the dorsal fin and males also have yellowish dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic fins. The maximum recorded fork length is 55 centimetres (22 in) but they are more commonly recorded at fork lengths of 28–30 centimetres (11–12 in) and they normally weigh around 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) but can reach 2 kilograms (4.4 lb).

The pink maomao is found in the southeastern Indian Ocean off Rottnest Island in Western Australia and in the south western Pacific Ocean off eastern Australia from Coffs Harbour to Bermagui in New South Wales, around Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island in the Tasman Sea, the Kermadec Islands south to D'Urville Island and Kaikōura in New Zealand, especially in the north island. They also occur in the southeastern Pacific around Easter Island, the Juan Fernández Islands, the Nazca Ridge and the Isla Salas y Gómez. It has also been reported from the Hawaiian Islands.

The pink maomao has thick, white flesh which is excellent for eating and it is pursued by spearfishermen but is infrequently caught by line fishermen. Bag limits are in place in New Zealand.