Mangrove snapper

Mangrove snapper
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Lutjanidae
Genus:	Lutjanus
Species:	L. griseus
Binomial name
Lutjanus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms[2]
Labrus griseus Linnaeus, 1758 Sparus tetracanthus Bloch, 1791 Anthias caballerote Bloch & J. G. Schneider , 1801 Lutjanus caballerote (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801) Mesoprion caballeorte (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801) Bodianus vivanetus Lacépède, 1802 Lobotes emarginatus Baird & Girard, 1855 Lutjanus stearnsii Goode & T.H. Bean, 1878

The mangrove snapper or gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is a

Description

Its color is typically greyish red, but can change color from bright red to copper red. It has a dark stripe running across its eye if observed from the top when it is under water. This species can reach a length of 89 cm (35 in), though most do not exceed 40 cm (16 in). The greatest recorded weight for this species is 20 kg (44 lb).[3]

The mangrove snapper can be confused with the

Habitat

The mangrove snapper is one of the most common species of snapper in warmer regions. It can be found in many areas from canals to grass flats, as well as in open water. Mangrove snapper also prefer structure, such as docks, mangroves, shipwrecks, and debris. Most mangrove snapper in the open water are generally found near bottom structure or reefs. They can be found at depths from 5 to 180 m (16 to 591 ft), though are mostly found at less than 50 m (160 ft).[3]

Sport fishing

Mangrove snapper are common targets for anglers, and are highly prized for their light and flaky flesh. They can be found year around and are often found in the

, and occasionally on artificial lures or baits. They can be spearfished, as well, but are sometimes a tough target, as they tend to be more wary of divers, rather than curious, and their wariness of baits and divers tends to increase as the fish grow larger. Most mangrove snapper are caught on light to medium tackle, and typical catches range from 8 to 14 in long (0.5-2.0 lb) in shallow or in-shore waters, and up to 20 in long (about 5 lb) in deeper waters. Larger fish are uncommon, but not rare.

Farming

The species is farmed in offshore floating fish farms in Asia and Oceania; one example is the floating fish farms off Pulau Ubin Island, Singapore, and along the southwest side along the Singapore strait.^[6] Farmed for consumption, they are sold to restaurants and supermarkets in Singapore and around the world.

References

External links

• Media related to Lutjanus griseus at Wikimedia Commons
• Photos of Mangrove snapper on Sealife Collection