Scientific Name
Lutjanus analis

Common Name
Mutton snapper

Biology
Occurs in continental shelf areas as well as clear waters around islands (Ref. 5217). Large adults usually among rocks and coral while juveniles occur over sandy, vegetated (usually Thalassia) bottoms (Ref. 5217). Forms small aggregations which disband during the night (Ref. 55). Feeds both day and night on fishes, shrimps, crabs, cephalopods, and gastropods (Ref. 55). Flesh considered good quality (Ref. 55). Marketed mainly fresh or frozen (Ref. 55). Traded as an aquarium fish at Clara, Brazil (Ref. 49392).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1828

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Snappers (Lutjanidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda (Anderson, pers. comm.) to southeastern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 9626). Most abundant around the Antilles, the Bahamas and off southern Florida.

Range

36°N - 28°S, 99°W - 32°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

25 m

Depth To - meters

95 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 25 - 95 m (Ref. 9626), usually 40 - 70 m (Ref. 9626)

Trophic Level

3.86 s.e. 0.64 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

94.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.13-0.25; tm=5.5; tmax=14)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A2d, B1+2e)