Blackfin snapper

The blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella) is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is a commercially important species, though it has been reported to carry the ciguatera toxin.[2]

Blackfin snapper
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Lutjanidae
Genus:
Lutjanus
Species:
L. buccanella
Binomial name
Lutjanus buccanella
(G. Cuvier, 1828)
Synonyms
  • Mesoprion buccanella G. Cuvier, 1828
  • Mesoprion caudanotatus Poey, 1851

Description

Its color is typically a scarlet red with silvery undersides. It has a black crescent-shaped mark at the base of its pectoral fins. The fins are yellow to orange. This species can reach a length of 75 cm (30 in), though most do not exceed 50 cm (20 in). The greatest known weight for this species is 14 kg (31 lb).[2]

Distribution

The blackfin snapper is found from North Carolina and Bermuda south to northern Brazil. It occurs most commonly in the Caribbean, being especially common around the Antilles.[2]

Habitat and habits

This species inhabits areas near reefs at depths of from 20 to 200 m (66 to 656 ft), usually between 80 and 150 m (260 and 490 ft). Juveniles tend to be found in shallower waters than adults, which tend to inhabit deeper water near drop-offs with sandy or rocky bottoms. Like other snapper, it is predatory and feeds primarily on smaller fish.[2]

References
  1. Lindeman, K., Anderson, W., Carpenter, K.E., Claro, R., Cowan, J., Espinosa-Perez, H., Padovani-Ferreira, B., Rocha, L.A., Sedberry, G. & Zapp-Sluis, M. (2016). Lutjanus buccanella. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T190170A1943194.en
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Lutjanus buccanella" in FishBase. December 2013 version.
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