Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792)
John's snapper
photo by Cook, D.C.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  97 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 11 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 80 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital width equal to eye diameter or larger. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line. Center of each scale often with a reddish-brown spot, giving an overall appearance of series of horizontal lines on side of body. Generally yellow with a bronze to silvery sheen, shading to silvery white on belly and underside of the head. A large black blotch mainly above the lateral line below the anterior dorsal-fin rays.
Biology:  Adults probably frequent coral reef areas; juveniles found in mangrove estuaries (Ref. 30573). Feed on fishes and benthic invertebrates including shrimps, crabs and cephalopods. In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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