Etelis oculatus (Valenciennes, 1828)
Queen snapper
Etelis oculatus
photo by Romine, J.G.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Etelinae
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 6,280.0 g
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 100 - 450 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and North Carolina, USA, Gulf of Mexico southward through the Caribbean to Sau Paulo, Brazil (Ref. 55), including the Fernando do Noronha and Atol das Rocas Islands (Ref. 113956).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Head small; eye large; snout short. Maxilla covered with small scales; lower jaw slightly projecting. Dorsal and anal fin bases without scales; caudal fin deeply forked. Scale rows on the back running parallel with the lateral line. Back and upper sides deep pink to red; lower sides and belly pink; fins pink except the spinous portion of the dorsal fin; entire caudal fin brilliant red.
Biology:  Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and feeds mainly on small fishes and squids. They are abundant near oceanic islands (Ref. 9626). Small individuals are taken as by-catch in trawl fisheries (Ref. 5217). Marketed mostly fresh, sometimes frozen. Flesh of good quality.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 10 October 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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