LUTJANIDAE


Macolor macularis
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Macolor macularis
Fowler, 1931
Midnight Snapper

D X, 13-14; A III, 10-11; P1 16-18; LLp 50-55; GR 37-42 + 71-81.

Body relatively deep, laterally compressed. Dorsal profile of head convex in adults, in oblique straight line in young. Vomerine tooth patch broadly V-shaped. Preopercle with deep notch receiving elongate interopercular spine. Dorsal fin continuous, but spinous portion distinctly notched in young; largest individuals without notch or with barely perceptible notch. Caudal fin subrounded. Color: adults mostly brownish black to black; individuals less than about 20 cm TL black on upper sides (usually with 6 to 10 white spots) and white below, black vertical bar through eye, broad black horizontal band from eye to rear edge of opercle, and black stripe from pectoral region to distal end of lower caudal-fin lobe. Size: Maximum length at least 45 cm SL. Distribution: Andaman Sea, and western Pacific from Ryukyu Islands southward to Australia and Melanesia. Remarks: inhabiting in coastal waters at depths <90 m. Feeds largely on fishes and crustaceans. (Yukio Iwatsuki)