Lutjanus sapphirolineatus Iwatsuki, Al-Mamry & Heemstra, 2016
Arabian blue-striped snapper
Lutjanus sapphirolineatus
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  15.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: apparently confined to the Middle East; currently known only from Somalia and Oman; possibly to southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI, 13; A III, 8; pectoral fin 17; lateral-line scales 47-49: horizontal scale rows above lateral line 5 or 6; scale rows above lateral line rising obliquely toward dorsal profile; predorsal scales extending forward just above anterior edge of orbit; scale rows on cheek 6 or 7, no subocular extension of smaller scales; subocular extension of cheek scales irregularly present in 1 or 2 row(s) anteriorly and 3 or 4 rows posteriorly below eye, respecitvely; gill-rakers on first arch 8 or 9 + 18 or 19 = 26?28; tongue smooth, toothless; preopercular notch developed just above angle; interopercular knob inconspicuous; belly with white with yellow spot on each scale forming narrow, longitudinal, yellow lines; dark-edged blue stripes 4, the first blue stripe almost running from above posterior nostril to the tenth dorsal fin spine base; third stripe just from upper rear edge of eye, through upper part of opercle, tapering posteriorly and extending to upper part of caudal peduncle below last soft dorsal-ray base; fourth blue stripe from just above midpoint of lower jaw, below eye and continuing through opercle, above upper pectoral-fin base to caudal peduncle (Ref. 110188).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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