Skip to content

Lutjanus peru — Details

Pacific Red Snapper learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Description

Learn more about this article

Common names: snapper (English), pargo (Espanol), huachinango (Espanol)

Lutjanus peru (Nichols & Murphy, 1922)

Pacific red snapper

Body oval; front and rear nostrils simple holes; large adults develop a groove from front of eye to nostrils, and another behind eye; mouth relatively large and protractile; teeth conical to caniniform, those at front of jaws generally enlarged and fang-like; tooth patch at central roof of mouth diamond shaped; sides of roof of mouth with 1 tooth patch; 16-17 gill rakers; preopercle serrated, lower margin notched; dorsal rays X, 13-14; dorsal continuous; anal rays III, 8; soft dorsal with rounded end, soft anal with pointed end; tail with concave edge; bases of soft dorsal and anal fins scaly; scale rows on upper back rising obliquely above lateral line.

Reddish to pink with a silvery sheen.

Maximum TL about 95 cm, common to 50 cm.

Generally occurs on rocky and sandy bottoms offshore

Depth: 0-80 m.

Southern California to the central Gulf of California to Peru, the Revillagigedos and Malpelo.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Biology

Learn more about this article

Found over hard bottoms in inshore reef areas up to a depth of at least 80 m (Ref. 9313). Carnivorous, feeds on big invertebrates and fish (Ref. 9313). Of excellent quality, it is marketed fresh or frozen (Ref. 9313).

Allen, G.R. 1985 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(6):208 p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 55) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=55&speccode=81

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Distribution

Range Description

Learn more about this article

This species is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, and is found from southern California, USA and the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Revillagigedo Islands. This species has previously been reported from Malpelo Island, Colombia, however, report appears to be based on a record from Gorgona, and after 17 years of observations, this species has never been seen in Malpelo Island.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

National Distribution

Learn more about this article

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© NatureServe

Source: NatureServe

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Depth

Learn more about this article

Depth Range (m): 0 (S) - 80 (S)

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Zoogeography

Learn more about this article

See Map (including site records) of Distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific

Global Endemism: All species, East Pacific endemic, Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) endemic

Regional Endemism: All species, TEP endemic, Continent + Island (s), Continent, Island (s)

Residency: Resident

Climate Zone: North Temperate (Californian Province &/or Northern Gulf of California), Northern Subtropical (Cortez Province + Sinaloan Gap), Northern Tropical (Mexican Province to Nicaragua + Revillagigedos), Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo)

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Peru.

Allen, G.R. 1985 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(6):208 p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 55) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=55&speccode=81

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Physical Description

Morphology

Learn more about this article

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Allen, G.R. 1985 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(6):208 p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 55) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=55&speccode=81

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Size

Learn more about this article

Length max (cm): 95.0 (S)

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Size

Learn more about this article

Maximum size: 950 mm TL

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© FishWise Professional

Source: FishWise Professional

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Max. size

Learn more about this article

95.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9313)); max. published weight: 5,810 g (Ref. 40637)

IGFA 2001 Database of IGFA angling records until 2001. IGFA, Fort Lauderdale, USA. (Ref. 40637) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=40637&speccode=943
Allen, G.R. 1995 Lutjanidae. Pargos. p. 1231-1244. In:W. Fischer, F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) Guia FAO para Identification de Especies para lo Fines de la Pesca. Pacifico Centro-Oriental. 3 Vols. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9313) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9313&speccode=1393

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Diagnostic Description

Learn more about this article

Preorbital bone very broad in adults. Large specimens develop a groove from front of eye to nostrils, and on upper part of preopercle behind the eye. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Color mainly red to pink with a silvery hue; the fins reddish.

Allen, G.R. 1985 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(6):208 p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 55) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=55&speccode=81

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

Learn more about this article

Habitat and Ecology

This species generally occurs on rocky and sandy substrate offshore to depths of 80m, and over hard substrate in inshore reef areas.

Systems

Marine

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Depth range based on 7 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 2 - 72

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 2 - 72

Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Public Domain

Source: Ocean Biogeographic Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Habitat Type: Marine

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© NatureServe

Source: NatureServe

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Depth: 0 - 40m.
Recorded at 40 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© FishWise Professional

Source: FishWise Professional

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Habitat

Learn more about this article

Salinity: Marine, Marine Only

Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only

Water Column Position: Bottom, Bottom only

Habitat: Reef (rock &/or coral), Rocks, Reef and soft bottom, Reef associated (reef + edges-water column & soft bottom), Soft bottom (mud, sand,gravel, beach, estuary & mangrove), Sand & gravel

FishBase Habitat: Reef Associated

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Environment

Learn more about this article

reef-associated; marine; depth range ? - 40 m (Ref. 9313)

Allen, G.R. 1995 Lutjanidae. Pargos. p. 1231-1244. In:W. Fischer, F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) Guia FAO para Identification de Especies para lo Fines de la Pesca. Pacifico Centro-Oriental. 3 Vols. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9313) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9313&speccode=1393

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Migration

Learn more about this article

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© NatureServe

Source: NatureServe

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Trophic Strategy

Learn more about this article

Found over hard bottoms in inshore reef areas up to a depth of at least 80 m. Carnivorous, feeds on big invertebrates and fish.

Allen, G.R. 1995 Lutjanidae. Pargos. p. 1231-1244. In:W. Fischer, F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) Guia FAO para Identification de Especies para lo Fines de la Pesca. Pacifico Centro-Oriental. 3 Vols. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9313) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9313&speccode=1393

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Feeding

Learn more about this article

Feeding Group: Carnivore

Diet: mobile benthic crustacea (shrimps/crabs), octopus/squid/cuttlefish, bony fishes

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Life History and Behavior

Reproduction

Reproduction

Learn more about this article

Egg Type: Pelagic, Pelagic larva

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Molecular Biology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Lutjanus peru

Learn more about this article

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)

© Barcode of Life Data Systems

Source: Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

Learn more about this article

Red List Category

LC

Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2010

Assessor/s

Rojas, P., Cotto, A., Acero, A., Bessudo, S.

Reviewer/s

Carpenter, K., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. (Global Marine Species Assessment Team)

Contributor/s

Justification

This species is widespread in the Eastern Pacific, and is common in some parts of its range. There are no known major threats to this species, and no current indication of widespread population decline from commercial fishing throughout its range. It is listed as Least Concern. However, given that it is heavily fished, this species should be carefully monitored.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

National NatureServe Conservation Status

Learn more about this article

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© NatureServe

Source: NatureServe

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

NatureServe Conservation Status

Learn more about this article

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© NatureServe

Source: NatureServe

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Conservation status

Learn more about this article

IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed

CITES: Not listed

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Trends

Population

Learn more about this article

Population

This species is locally abundant in some parts of its range.

Population Trend

Unknown

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Threats

Threats

Learn more about this article

Major Threats

There are no known major threats to this species, and no current indication of widespread population decline from commercial fishing throughout its range.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Least Concern (LC)

IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Management

Conservation Actions

Learn more about this article

Conservation Actions

There are no known conservation measures for this species. However, this species distribution falls partially into a number of Marine Protected Areas in the Eastern Pacific region (WDPA 2006).

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Importance

Learn more about this article

fisheries: subsistence fisheries

Coppola, S.R., W. Fischer, L. Garibaldi, N. Scialabba and K.E. Carpenter 1994 SPECIESDAB: Global species database for fishery purposes. User's manual. FAO Computerized Information Series (Fisheries). No. 9. Rome, FAO. 103 p. (Ref. 171) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=171&speccode=2534

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Disclaimer

EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.

To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!