Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis)

Scientific name: Lutjanus analis Cuvier, 1828

The Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Lutjanidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–28°C (68–82°F).

Mutton snapper care at a glance

Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lutjanus analis
Family: Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 94.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 25–95 m (82–312 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 25 - 95 m, usually 40 - 70 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda (Anderson, pers. comm.) to southeastern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Most abundant around the Antilles, the Bahamas and off southern Florida.
Conservation status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU) (A2d, B1+2e)
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.13-0.25; tm=5.5; tmax=14)