Hoplopagrus guentherii Gill, 1862
Mexican barred snapper
Hoplopagrus guentherii
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  92 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,580.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Colombia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Body deep and compressed; anterior profile of head slightly sloping and somewhat convex; snout prominent; anterior nostril tubular; posterior nostril embedded in a deep furrow; preopercle deeply notched; vomerine and lateral jaw teeth molariform; lower branch of first gill arch with 11 to 15 gill rakers; dorsal scale series running parallel to lateral line; back greenish brown; belly pink; flanks with 8 brownish blue vertical bars (Ref. 55763). Post-opercular notch and knob strong; anterior nostril long and tubular. Scale rows on back running parallel to the lateral line. Color is greenish with a series of about eight bars on sides.
Biology:  Adults are encountered generally over rocky bottoms in the vicinity of coral reefs, up to at least 40 or 50 m (Ref. 9313). Juveniles may penetrate rocky littoral pools (Ref. 9313). Carnivorous, feed on fishes and invertebrates of the bottom (Ref. 9313). Caught with handlines and marketed fresh (Ref. 9313).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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