Snapper - Blacktail

Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed

Family	Lutjanidae
Description	Snappers
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Malay, ikan lutjan, name of a fish
Genus	17
No. of Species	110
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Marine; rarely estuarine. Some species do enter freshwater for feeding. Tropical and subtropical: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Dorsal fin continuous or slightly notched. Spines in dorsal fin 10-12; soft rays 10-17. Three spines in anal fin; soft rays 7-11. Pelvic fins originating just behind pectoral base. Mouth moderate to large; terminal. Jaws bearing enlarged canine teeth. Palatine teeth small. Vomer usually with small teeth. Maxilla covered by preorbital with the mouth closed. Branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 24 (10 + 14). To about 1 m maximum length. Most species are predators of crustaceans and fishes, several are planktivores. Most do well in aquaria, but grow too fast. Valued as food fish but sometimes a cause of ciguatera. Generally demersal, down to depths of about 450 m.

Blacktail Snapper

Adults inhabit lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs. They prefer sheltered areas with deep holes or large boulders. Benthopelagic. Solitary or in loose aggregations. Juveniles sometimes found in shallow mangrove swamps and the lower parts of freshwater streams. Adults feed at night on fishes, shrimps, crabs, holothurians and cephalopods

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital bone about equal in width to eye diameter. Preopercular notch and knob well developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Generally tan or brownish to pale yellow-white. Scales with brownish to yellow margins. The caudal and dorsal fins are blackish with narrow white margins; the anal pectoral and pelvic fins are yellow. Striped when young. Body depth 2.3-2.8 in SL

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesas and Line islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)