| Family: |
Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae |
| Max. size: |
160 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 57 kg; max. reported age: 55 years |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 18 - 70 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia and Bermuda (Anderson, pers. comm.) to the Amazon, Brazil. Rare north of Florida and apparently rare in the Gulf of Mexico. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Mouth with thick lips. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Back and sides pale to dark gray with a reddish tinge. The dorsal and caudal fins are grayish; the anal and pelvic fins reddish; the pectoral fins translucent or grayish. |
| Biology: |
Adults are found mainly around ledges over rocky bottoms or around reefs. Young sometimes inhabit mangrove areas. Maximum depth from Ref. 126840. Feed mainly on fishes, shrimps and crabs (Ref. 55) and lobsters using their strong canines (Ref. 123493). A wary fish, not easily approached underwater (Ref. 13442). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 10 October 2015 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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