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Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) — Lutjanidae

Barred pargo

Hoplopagrus guentherii
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 92 cm.

Length
92 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky bottoms near coral reefs from Mexico to Colombia/Ecuador.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Mexican barred snapper is a robust snapper of the family Lutjanidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 92 cm and has a stocky, reddish-brown body with a few pale vertical bars. Adults live over rocky bottoms near coral reefs, to at least 40-50 metres; juveniles penetrate rocky littoral pools. As a predator it feeds on fishes and invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs. The Mexican barred snapper is a valued sport and food fish with firm flesh. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred pargo?

The Barred pargo has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Red-brown snapper with pale vertical bands; inhabits rocky bottoms near reefs.

Where does the Barred pargo live?

The Barred pargo lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; rocky bottoms near coral reefs from Mexico to Colombia/Ecuador.

How big does the Barred pargo get?

The Barred pargo grows to a maximum of about 92 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Barred pargo dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred pargo is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred pargo edible?

Yes, the Barred pargo is commonly eaten.

More photos

Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) — Lutjanidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) keesgroenendijk, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) — Lutjanidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) — Lutjanidae — 4
keesgroenendijk (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Barred pargo (Hoplopagrus guentherii) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tom Turner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred pargo verified
Scientific name
Hoplopagrus guentherii
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Barred pargo; Greenbar snapper; Mexican barred snapper; Pargo verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
92.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky bottoms near coral reefs from Mexico to Colombia/Ecuador. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crustaceans and molluscs sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Red-brown snapper with pale vertical bands; inhabits rocky bottoms near reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with fish or squid bait around rocky bottoms and reefs; also with heavy lures. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Lutjanidae

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