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Mullet snapper (Lutjanus aratus) — Lutjanidae

Mullet snapper

Lutjanus aratus
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mullet snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The mullet snapper is a large snapper (family Lutjanidae) of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a streamlined, silvery-grey body, slimmer than many other snappers, recalling a mullet. It is reef-associated and lives over hard bottoms to at least 50 m depth; adults form schools sometimes of several hundred individuals. Its diet consists of fishes and crustaceans. The species is of value to subsistence fisheries and is a prized catch. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mullet snapper?

The Mullet snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mullet snapper live?

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

How big does the Mullet snapper get?

The Mullet snapper grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Mullet snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Mullet snapper is harmless to humans.

Is the Mullet snapper edible?

Yes, the Mullet snapper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Harder-snapper sourced
English name
Mullet snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus aratus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Mullet snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas of werpen met kunstaas rond riffen. 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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