Gorean snapper
Eastern Atlantic snapper with a vivid pink back and silvery-white belly.
The Gorean snapper (Lutjanus goreensis) is a marine fish from the snapper family, Lutjanidae, found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
French zoologist Achille Valenciennes first described this species in 1830 as *Mesoprion goreensis*, naming it after Gorée, Senegal, the location where the original specimen was collected.
This fish has a fairly deep body, a pointed snout, and a steep forehead. Its vomerine teeth form a triangular patch with a clear rearward extension. The dorsal fin consists of 10 spines and 14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The pectoral fins, with 16 rays, are relatively short and do not reach the anus, and the caudal fin is slightly forked. The Gorean snapper can reach a maximum total length of 80 cm (31 in), though 50 cm (20 in) is more common. Adults have vivid pink or reddish backs and upper sides, with silvery-white lower sides and belly. A thin blue line or row of broken spots runs beneath the eye. Smaller individuals in shallow water are mostly brownish.
Its range runs along West Africa from Senegal south to Angola, though it is less common below the Congo River. It also appears around the Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. Adults live over rocky bottoms and near coral reefs, while juveniles are often found in coastal waters, especially estuaries, and occasionally in the lower stretches of rivers. The species occupies depths from 0 to 50 m (0 to 164 ft).
A predator, the Gorean snapper feeds on other fish and larger bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
It is caught by commercial and artisanal fisheries across its range, mainly with seines, hook and line, and spearfishing, as well as handlines, fixed bottom nets, and trawl nets. The catch is typically sold fresh. In the brackish water zone of the Niger Delta, it is farmed alongside *L. agennes*, with an estimated yield of 1,415 kg (3,120 lb) per hectare per year. Because little data exists on landings or its biology, the IUCN lists it as Data Deficient, noting it may be vulnerable to overfishing and that its true status could be Near Threatened or Vulnerable.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus goreensis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Gorean snapper was first formally described in 1830 as Mesoprion goreensis by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes, with the type locality given as Gorée in Senegal; the specific name refers to this locality. It has a relatively deep body with a pointed snout and a steeply sloping forehead. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a triangular patch with a clearly rearwards extension. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The pectoral fins contain 16 rays and are relatively short, not extending as far as the anus, and the caudal fin is slightly emarginate. This fish attains a maximum total length of 80 cm, although 50 cm is more typical. The back and upper flanks are vivid pink or reddish, while the lower flanks and abdomen are silvery-white. There is a thin blue band or line of broken spots underneath the eye. Smaller individuals found in shallow water are mainly brownish in colour.
Reader's Guide
The Gorean snapper is a predatory species that feeds on other fishes and larger benthic invertebrates. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging along the western coast of Africa from Senegal to Angola, though it is less common south of the Congo River. It has also been found in the Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Adults occur over rocky substrates and near coral reefs, while juveniles are often recorded in coastal waters, especially estuaries and occasionally in the lower reaches of rivers. Its depth range is 0 to 50 m. The species is a target for commercial and artisanal fisheries throughout its range, taken mainly with seines, hook and line, and spearfishing, as well as handlines, fixed bottom nets, and trawl nets. The catch is usually sold as fresh fish. It is cultured in the brackish water zone of the Niger Delta, alongside L. agennes, with a total estimated yield of 1,415 kg per hectare per annum. There is very little data on landings or the biology of this species; therefore, the IUCN categorises it as Data Deficient but states that it may be vulnerable to overfishing and that its true status may be Near Threatened or Vulnerable.
Did You Know?
- Its specific name refers to the type locality of Gorée in Senegal.
- It attains a maximum total length of 80 cm, though 50 cm is more typical.
- The IUCN categorises it as Data Deficient but notes it may be vulnerable to overfishing.
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