Humphead snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit coral and rocky reefs to depths of at least 100 m . Off South Africa they display a preference for slightly silty, turbid regions in the vicinity of sometimes shallow, offshore banks. Captured mainly at night on coral banks off Mafia Island (Tanzania) in 9 to 12 m and off Zanzibar in about 75 m. They are active at night feeding over sandy or rubble bottoms . Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 9773.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Dorsal profile of head angular, snout steeply sloped. Preorbital bone broad, with horizontal grooves behind and below the eye. Anterior and posterior nostrils widely spaced. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Juveniles with a broad brown bar from upper jaw to beginning of dorsal fin and a series of reddish horizontal lines on sides.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Humphead snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 9 - 150 m . Tropical; 31°N - 30°S, 30°E - 77°E east to the Arabian Sea and south to Natal, South Africa.
🌿 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diacope erythrina | Rüppell | 1838 | Synonym |
| Diacope sanguinea | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lutianus sanguineus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus sanguiness | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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