Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

LUTJANUS ARGENTIMACULATUS (Mangrove red snapper)

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

A red snapper with head profile straight or slightly convex; preoperculum without a notch, or at most with a slight notch; interoperculum with no distinct knob; vertical and horizontal margins of preoperculum finely serrated. Teeth in both jaws in bands with a strong outer row; upper jaw with a pair of strong canines. Dorsal fin with 10 spines; caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Longitudinal rows of scales above lateral line parallel to dorsal profile anteriorly, but appearing to rise obliquely under soft part of dorsal fin or under posterior part of spinous dorsal fin; scale rows below lateral line horizontal; soft parts of dorsal and anal fins with a scaly sheath.

Colour: red/brown; somewhat paler on belly; sometimes a silvery patch in the centre of each scale.