LUTJANIDAE


Lutjanus madras, 11.6 cm SL
(photo by Koichi Shibukawa)


Lutjanus madras
(Valenciennes, 1831)
Indian Snapper

D X-XI, 13-14; A III, 8-9; P1 16-17; LLp 47-50; GR 6-7 + 12-15.

Body fusiform, somewhat slender, its depth 2.6-3.1 in SL. Anterodorsal profile of head moderately to gently sloped; preorbital width about equal to 2/3 of eye diameter; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins angular; caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Color: upper back brownish; sides whitish with a series of fine yellow horizontal lines; fins yellow except pelvic fins frequently white or faintly yellow. Size: maximum length about 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm. Distribution: Indian Ocean and West Pacific: Seychelles to New Guinea and the Philippines. Remarks: often misidentified as L. lutjanus. (Ukkrit Satapoomin)