African red snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and (inshore) coral reefs; also common in brackish lagoons and found in lower courses of rivers, particularly juveniles . Marketed fresh.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Diagnosis: head pointed; gape of mouth wide . Body relatively deep; dorsal head profile straight or somewhat concave; lachrymal bone broad . Maxilla extending nearly to mid-eye level . Vomerine tooth plate triangular, sometimes with a short postero-median extension . Preopercular notch and knob weak; pectoral fins of adults not reaching level of anus . Scales medium-sized; 5 or 6 transverse scale rows on cheeks . Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line , 4 rows below middle of spinous part of dorsal fin . Reddish brown to slightly orange on back and upper sides, grading to pink or whitish on lower sides and belly; tips of pelvic fins very dark . No blue line on cheeks . Juveniles with a series of about 6 to 8 vertical rows of small white spots or narrow bars on side .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African red snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated. Tropical; 13°N - 20°S, 21°W - 17°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African Cubera Snapper · African red snapper · Grouper · Guinean Snapper · Red · grey snapper |
| 🇫🇷French | Carpe Rouge · Lutjanus · Vivaneau africain rouge |
| 🌍SLV | afriški rdeči hlastač |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pargo colorado africano |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helotosoma modestus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus modestus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 678 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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