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Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) — Lutjanidae

Gorean snapper

Lutjanus goreensis
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, near rocky bottoms, reefs and estuaries; young fish tolerate brackish water.
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The Gorean snapper is a robust snapper of the family Lutjanidae reaching about 80 cm. The sturdy, brownish body has strong canine teeth at the front of the mouth and bears a pattern of blue streaks on the head. The species lives near rocky bottoms, reefs and estuaries along the West African coast; young fish often enter brackish estuaries and mangroves, while adults seek deeper reef. As a nocturnal predator it hunts fish, crabs and crustaceans. With its tasty flesh the Gorean snapper is a valued commercial and sport fish of the West African coast that fights hard on the line.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gorean snapper?

The Gorean snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Large snapper with powerful canine teeth and blue streaks on the head; as a juvenile it often enters brackish estuaries.

Where does the Gorean snapper live?

The Gorean snapper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, near rocky bottoms, reefs and estuaries; young fish tolerate brackish water.

How big does the Gorean snapper get?

The Gorean snapper grows to a maximum of about 80 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Gorean snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Gorean snapper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Gorean snapper edible?

Yes, the Gorean snapper is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) — Lutjanidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Francis Saucisse (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) — Lutjanidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) abotto, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Remy DUBAS, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Gorean snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus goreensis
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Grouper; Pink snapper; Red; Gorean lagoon snapper; Snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, near rocky bottoms, reefs and estuaries; young fish tolerate brackish water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crabs and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Juvenile fish in brackish estuaries, adults near deeper reef; eggs and larvae drift in open water. sourced
Special features
Large snapper with powerful canine teeth and blue streaks on the head; as a juvenile it often enters brackish estuaries. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bottom fishing or casting with a baitfish or shrimp near rocky bottoms and estuaries; a prized sport fish sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

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

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lutjanus

More from the family Lutjanidae

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