Lutjanus ehrenbergii (Peters, 1869)
Blackspot snapper
Lutjanus ehrenbergii
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon and Mariana islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep; greatest depth 2.5-3.0 in SL; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed; vomerine tooth patch triangular, with a medial posterior extension; gill rakers of first gill arch 6-7 + 10-14 - 16-21; caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate; scale rows on back parallel to lateral line. Colour of back and upper sides dark brown, lower sides and belly whitish with a silver sheen; usually a series of 4-5 narrow yellow stripes on the sides below the lateral line; a distinct round, black spot on the back below the posterior part of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin (Ref. 9821, 90102).

Description: Dorsal profile of head moderately sloped; preorbital bone very narrow, its width about half of eye diameter (Ref. 90102).

Biology:  Adults inhabit very shallow coastal habitats, often in large schools near freshwater run-offs (Ref. 48635). Juveniles often intertidal (Ref. 48635); over sand, silt, or coral rubble bottoms, occasionally in mangrove-lined streams and estuaries (Ref. 9821) They may enter freshwater to feed (Ref. 245); on small fish and invertebrates (Ref. 5213). This is a small species commonly utilized in subsistence fisheries and also seen in markets. Caught mainly with handlines, traps, and gill nets and are marketed mostly fresh (Ref. 9821).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 June 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.