Lutjanus agennes Bleeker, 1863
African red snapper
Lutjanus agennes
photo by Rodrigues, N.V.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  139 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 60 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Angola (Ref. 10795, 57393, 81653), including Cape Verde (Ref. 10795).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: head pointed; gape of mouth wide (Ref. 57393). Body relatively deep; dorsal head profile straight or somewhat concave; lachrymal bone broad (Ref. 81653). Maxilla extending nearly to mid-eye level (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Vomerine tooth plate triangular, sometimes with a short postero-median extension (Ref. 57393, 81653). Preopercular notch and knob weak; pectoral fins of adults not reaching level of anus (Ref. 55, 81653). Scales medium-sized; 5 or 6 transverse scale rows on cheeks (Ref. 57393, 81653). Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), 4 rows below middle of spinous part of dorsal fin (Ref. 57393, 81653). Reddish brown to slightly orange on back and upper sides, grading to pink or whitish on lower sides and belly; tips of pelvic fins very dark (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). No blue line on cheeks (Ref. 57393, 81653). Juveniles with a series of about 6 to 8 vertical rows of small white spots or narrow bars on side (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653).
Biology:  Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and (inshore) coral reefs; also common in brackish lagoons and found in lower courses of rivers, particularly juveniles (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Marketed fresh.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 29 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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