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Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) — Lutjanidae

Guinea snapper

Lutjanus endecacanthus
Family: Lutjanidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 85 cm.

Length
85 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; rocky bottoms and coastal reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The African brown snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the eastern Atlantic Ocean off West Africa. The species has a robust, brownish body with strong jaws and canine teeth. Adults live on rocky bottoms and nearshore coral reefs, but also occur in brackish lagoons and sometimes in fresh water. As a predator it hunts fishes and large crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guinea snapper?

The Guinea snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Sturdy jaws with canine teeth; West African snapper of reefs, lagoons and sometimes fresh water.

Where does the Guinea snapper live?

The Guinea snapper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; rocky bottoms and coastal reefs.

How big does the Guinea snapper get?

The Guinea snapper grows to a maximum of about 85 cm.

Is the Guinea snapper dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Guinea snapper edible?

Yes, the Guinea snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) — Lutjanidae — 2
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) — Lutjanidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Pieter Bleeker (Public domain)
Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) congonaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) NGUECHE NGUEBOUI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Guinea snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus endecacanthus
Family
Lutjanidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
85.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic off West Africa; rocky bottoms and coastal reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and large crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Sturdy jaws with canine teeth; West African snapper of reefs, lagoons and sometimes fresh water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
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

Same genus Lutjanus

More from the family Lutjanidae

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