Black snapper (Apsilus dentatus) fish species and information / pictures of Black snapper - Apsilus dentatus

Black snapper (Apsilus dentatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Apsilus dentatus

Common Name
Black snapper

Biology
Inhabits mainly rocky bottoms. Young sometimes found near the surface. Feeds on fishes and benthic organisms, including cephalopods and tunicates. Flesh of good quality; marketed fresh and frozen.

Classification

Classified By
Guichenot, 1853
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Snappers (Lutjanidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Central Atlantic
Distribution
Western Central Atlantic: West Indies, Florida Keys, western Gulf of Mexico, western Caribbean (off Belize), probably more widespread in Caribbean (Anderson, pers. comm.).
Range
29°N - 9°N, 87°W - 60°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
100 m
Depth To - meters
300 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 100 - 300 m, usually 120 - 180 m (Ref. 55)
Trophic Level
4.08 s.e. 0.52 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
65.0 cm
Common Length
40.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 31172)
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)