Relevant synonyms None Misidentification None Meristic formula D, X + 12-14; A, III + 8; P, 15-17; V, I + 5; LL, 48-51; GR, 16-19  photo : A.Vella

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body moderately deep (2.6-2.9 times in SL) and slightly compressed. Large mouth, jaws reach back to the vertical of middle of eye. Sharp teeth in the jaws and on the vomer. A shallow notch on the lower preoperculum edge. Continuous dorsal fin its first spine small; spines 3-5 are the longest. Posterior part of dorsal, anal and pelvic fins rounded. Pectoral fin long and pointed, reaching the anus. Caudal fin truncated to slightly emarginated. color : Back and flank yellowish-green to grey, becoming light yellow to grey belly. An oval black spot below the last dorsal spine and first dorsal ray. Often with six yellow longitudinal stripes on the body. size : 15-25 cm (max 35 cm) DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The color pattern, especially the black spot below the dorsal fin, distinguish this species from all Mediterranean fish species. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Feeding mainly on fishes and large invertebrates. Juveniles often enter estuaries with low salinity. habitat : Inhabits rocky substrate or coral reef to depth of 35 m.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Malta (2015) (Vella et al 2015). DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Mediterranean : Malta ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Rare, only one specimen was collected in Malta.   MODE OF INTRODUCTION Via the Suez Canal or direct human transport, such as shipping or result of aquarium release. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None in the Mediterranean. Commercially important throughout its native distribution.

KEY REFERENCES ‏Allen, G.R. 1985. FAO Specie Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snapper of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of Lutjanus species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis. FAO, Rome.208.pp + 27 color plates. ‏Vacchi M., Psomadakis P.N., Repetto N. and Würtz M. 2010. First record of the dog snapper Lutjanus jocu in the Mediterranean. Journal of Fish Biology 76, 723-728. ‏Vella, A., Vella, N., Darmanin, S.A. 2015. First record of Lutjanus fulvflamma (Osteichthyes: Lutjanidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of ‏Black Sea / Mediterranean Environment 21(3), 307-315 FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet : January 2017 © ciesm 2001