| Family: |
Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae |
| Max. size: |
150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 50 kg |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: west coast of Africa (Ref. 57393), from Senegal to Angola (Ref. 81653), primarily in the Gulf of Guinea (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), rarely appearing in Senegal (Ref. 57393). Mesoprion retrospinis Valenciennes, 1830 may be the oldest name for this species as the original description agrees closely to that given by Delais, 1952. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: body relatively deep (Ref. 81653). Head conical (Ref. 57393), slightly rounded, its dorsal profile curving gently (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Snout somewhat blunt (Ref. 57393, 81653). Preorbital/lachrymal bone broad (Ref. 55, 81653). Lips thick (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Vomerine tooth patch chevron-shaped in young individuals and triangular with a short postero-median prolongation in adults (Ref. 57393, 81653). Maxilla extending to about mid-eye level or beyond; preopercular notch and knob weak (Ref. 55, 81653). Pectoral fins of adult not reaching
level of anus (Ref. 81653). Scales moderate-sized (Ref. 57393, 81653). Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). 4-5 scale rows above lateral line and below middle of spinous part of dorsal fin (Ref. 57393, 81653). 9-10 (transverse) scale rows on cheek (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). 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 (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and coral reefs (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Also common in brackish lagoons and occasionally in rivers (Ref. 55, 81653), especially juveniles (Ref. 57393). Feed on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 55, 81653). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 31 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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