Domain |    Eukarya |
Kingdom |    Animalia |
Phylum |    Chordata |
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. |
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Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to Australia. Southeast Atlantic: Port Alfred, South Africa |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
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