African brown snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and coral reefs . Also common in brackish lagoons and occasionally in rivers , especially juveniles . Feed on fishes and crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Diagnosis: body relatively deep . Head conical , slightly rounded, its dorsal profile curving gently . Snout somewhat blunt . Preorbital/lachrymal bone broad . Lips thick . Vomerine tooth patch chevron-shaped in young individuals and triangular with a short postero-median prolongation in adults . Maxilla extending to about mid-eye level or beyond; preopercular notch and knob weak . Pectoral fins of adult not reaching level of anus . Scales moderate-sized . Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line . 4-5 scale rows above lateral line and below middle of spinous part of dorsal fin . 9-10 (transverse) scale rows on cheek . Smokey gray on back and upper sides grading to whitish pink on lower sides and belly; sides of juveniles with a series of alternating light and dark bars of about equal widths .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African brown snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated. Tropical; 7°N - 20°S, 15°W - 15°E west coast of Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 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 brown snapper · Brown Snapper · Grouper · Red Fish |
| 🌍CES | chňapal útesový |
| 🇫🇷French | Vivaneau brun d'Afrique |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Caranha-lobo |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Африканский луциан · Бурый луциан |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pargo Chocolate Africano · Pargo marrón africano |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 牙笛鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutjanus eutactus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion dentatus | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 684 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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