Lutjanus colorado Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
Colorado snapper
photo by IGFA

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  91 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,290.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 70 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Panama; rare north of Baja California, Mexico. There are unsubstantiated reports of this species from localities as far south as northern Peru.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Body and fins mostly red; sometimes with a blue streak under the eye. Young specimens are barred.
Biology:  Adults inhabit inshore reef areas over hard bottoms. Generally solitary (Ref. 9313). Juveniles are sometimes encountered in shallow coastal waters and estuaries (Ref. 9313). Carnivorous, feed on invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 9313). Marketed fresh or frozen (Ref. 9313).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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