Southern red snapper (Lutjanus purpureus)

Species facts

Scientific name

Lutjanus purpureus

Family

Lutjanidae (Snappers)

Order

Perciformes (Perch-like fish)

Class

Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)

Maximum length

100.0

Common length

65.0

Depth range

26–340 m (85–1115 ft)

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 26 - 340 m, usually 70 - 120 m

Climate

Tropical

Distribution

Western Atlantic: throughout most of the Caribbean Sea from Cuba southward to northeastern Brazil. Frequently confused with Lutjanus campechanus. Also referred to as Lutjanus aya by past authors, but Rivas proved that Bodianus aya Bloch, 1790 is not a lutjanid, but probably a sciaenid.

Conservation status (IUCN)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning

Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.09-0.12; tm=5.5; tmax=18)