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Ambiguous snapper (Lutjanus ambiguus) — Lutjanidae

Ambiguous snapper

Lutjanus ambiguus
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ambiguous snapper (Lutjanus ambiguus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The ambiguous snapper is a snapper from the eastern Pacific, along the coast of Central and South America. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, silvery to reddish body. As a reef-dwelling predator it hunts mainly at night for fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ambiguous snapper?

The Ambiguous snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ambiguous snapper live?

The Ambiguous snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ambiguous snapper get?

The Ambiguous snapper grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Ambiguous snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Ambiguous snapper is harmless to humans.

Is the Ambiguous snapper edible?

Yes, the Ambiguous snapper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Onduidelijke snapper verified
English name
Ambiguous snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus ambiguus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Cuban snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen bij riffen met aas sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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