Lutjanus aratus — Details

Mullet Snapper learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Biology

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This is an inshore, reef-dwelling species found over hard bottoms until at least 50 m depth (Ref. 9313). Adults may form schools consisting of several hundreds of individuals (Ref. 9313). Juveniles are encountered in shallow waters, including littoral pools and estuaries (Ref. 9313). Carnivorous, feeds on fish and invertebrates (Ref. 9313). Marketed fresh.
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Description

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Common names: snapper (English), pargo (Espanol)
 
Lutjanus aratus (Günther, 1864)


Mullet snapper

Body elongate; front and rear nostrils simple holes; 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 V-shaped or crescentic; sides of roof of mouth with 1 tooth patch; 16-17 gill rakers; preopercle serrated, lower margin notched; dorsal rays XI-XII, 12; dorsal continuous; anal rays III, 7-8; soft dorsal and anal with rounded ends; tail edge concave; bases of soft dorsal and anal fins scaly; scale rows on upper back parallel to lateral line.

Grey to greenish, darker on back; centre of each scale yellowish white forming alternating dark and light stripes on side; tail blackish; fish from deeper water sometimes mainly reddish.

Size: reaches about 100 cm and at least 15kg

Habitat: juveniles found in coastal embayments and estuaries, adults range into clear, deep waters and sometimes form large aggregations in midwater over rocky bottoms.

Depth: 0-50 m.

Southern Baja California to the central Gulf of California to northern Peru, including Cocos the Galapagos and Malpelo.

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Distribution

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Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Ecuador.
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Range Description

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This species is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, and is found from southern Baja California and the central Gulf of California to Ecuador, including Cocos, Galapagos and Malpelo Islands.
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Eastern Pacific.
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Depth

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Depth Range (m): 0 (S) - 50 (S)
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Zoogeography

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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: Northern Subtropical (Cortez Province + Sinaloan Gap), Northern Tropical (Mexican Province to Nicaragua + Revillagigedos), Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo)

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Physical Description

Morphology

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Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8
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Size

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Length max (cm): 100.0 (S)
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Size

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Maximum size: 990 mm TL
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Max. size

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100.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 55763)); max. published weight: 15.0 kg (Ref. 40637)
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Diagnostic Description

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Preopercular notch and knob moderate. Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line. Dark gray-green on back, lighter on belly. Scales with yellowish white centers, forming alternating dark and light stripes on the sides. Individuals from deeper waters are mainly reddish.
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Ecology

Habitat

Environment

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reef-associated; marine; depth range ? - 60 m (Ref. 55763)
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Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
This reef-associated species can be found over hard substrate to at least 50 m depth. Adults may form schools consisting of several hundreds of individuals (Allen 1995). For example, in Malpelo, this species aggregates in large groups over sandy and rubble substrate to 60 m. Juveniles are encountered in shallow waters, including littoral pools and estuaries, and may utilize mangroves and river mouths as nursery grounds.

Systems
  • Marine
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Depth range based on 35 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.16 - 68.5

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.16 - 68.5
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Depth: 0 - 50m.
Recorded at 50 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated.
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Salinity: Marine, Brackish

Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only

Water Column Position: Mid Water, Near Bottom, Bottom, Bottom + water column

Habitat: Reef (rock &/or coral), Rocks, Reef associated (reef + edges-water column & soft bottom), Estuary, Water column

FishBase Habitat: Reef Associated
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Trophic Strategy

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This is an inshore, reef-dwelling species found over hard bottoms until at least 50 m depth. Adults may form schools consisting of several hundreds of individuals. Juveniles are encountered in shallow waters, including littoral pools and estuaries. Carnivorous, feeds on fish and invertebrates.
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Feeding

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Feeding Group: Carnivore

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

Reproduction

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Egg Type: Pelagic, Pelagic larva
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Molecular Biology and Genetics

Molecular Biology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Lutjanus aratus

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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2010

Assessor/s
Bessudo, S., Acero, A., Rojas, P., Cotto, A.

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 throughout its range. There are no known major threats to this species, and no current indication of widespread population decline. It is listed as Least Concern. However, since juveniles appear to be dependent on heavily impacted mangroves and estuaries as nursery areas and it is heavily fished, this species should be carefully monitored.
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IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed

CITES: Not listed
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Population

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Population
This species is common in many parts of its range.

The mean abundance in Galapagos Island was of 1.08 individuals per 500 m2 and the majority of individuals were found far-northern of the island (Edgar et al. 2004). In the Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, the median density was 0.001 individuals per m2, the standard deviation was 0.006 individuals per m2, the percentage of abundance was 0.039% and the maximum density registered for the species was 0.021 individuals per m2 (Rojas 2001).

Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats

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Least Concern (LC)
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Major Threats
The loss of mangroves throughout its range from coastal development may also negatively impact the availability and quality of nursery areas for juveniles of this species.
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Management

Conservation Actions

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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).
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Importance

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fisheries: subsistence fisheries
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