The Pink Snapper or Squirefish, Chrysophrys auratus, is the only member of the genus Chrysophrys and isn't really a snapper although that is how it is generally thought of and named. Actually it is a porgie found in coastal waters of New Zealand and southern Australia.
This fish goes by many names. In Western Australia it is called pink snapper to distinguish it from other unrelated species. In New Zealand the name New Zealand snapper is used. Young fish in Australia are also referred to as cocknies while below legal size, then red bream or pinkies at legal size and squire or squirefish when bigger, before becoming snapper at full size. In Victoria they are also referred to as Schnapper.
The fish is found on all coasts of New Zealand, especially in the north. In Australia it is found along the south coast and as far north as Coral Bay in the west, and Cape Manifold in Queensland in the east. It's also found on the coast of Tasmania but in lesser numbers. The fish spawn in inshore waters and live in rocky areas and reefs of up to 200 m deep. They school, and will migrate between reefs. Larger fish are known to enter estuaries and harbours, for example Port Phillip Bay has a renowned seasonal snapper run.
Pink Snapper grow at very slow rates and can live to be about 50 years old. Some of the males will actually turn into females at puberty.