Lutjanus agennes
A large predatory snapper of West African coastal waters.
The African red snapper, also called the Guinean snapper or African cubera snapper, is a marine ray-finned fish in the snapper family, Lutjanidae. It lives in the Atlantic waters along Africa’s coast.
Dutch scientist Pieter Bleeker first described this species in 1863, giving its type location as “Ashantee in Guinea.” He didn’t explain the name *agennes*, but it may come from a word meaning “of low family,” possibly because of its similarity to *L. modestus* (whose name means “modest or unassuming”). Bleeker also described *L. modestus* that same year, and it’s unclear if that name refers to this species or to *L. endecacanthus*.
The fish has a fairly deep body, a pointed snout, and a somewhat angular forehead. Its mouth reaches back to below the middle of the eye. The teeth on the vomer form a triangular patch that may extend backward. The notch and knob on the preoperculum are not well developed. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13–14 soft rays; the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Its color is reddish brown to slightly orange on the back and upper sides, fading to pink or whitish on the belly and lower sides. The tips of the pelvic fins are quite dark, and there is no blue line on the cheeks. Juveniles have 6 to 8 vertical rows of small white spots or thin bars on their sides. The maximum recorded total length is 139 cm (55 in), though 50 cm (20 in) is more common, and the heaviest published weight is 60 kg (130 lb).
This species lives in the eastern Atlantic, along West Africa from Senegal to Angola, including the Cape Verde Islands and the Gulf of Guinea islands. It ranges from the surface down to 80 m (260 ft) over rocky bottoms and reefs, and juveniles sometimes enter brackish lagoons and estuaries.
Like other snappers, it is a predator that eats mostly fish and crustaceans. It may form large spawning groups far from shore in open water. Fishermen have observed larger individuals gathering in big numbers around rocky reefs to spawn. The West African snapper is thought to live a long time, possibly over 20 years.
The African red snapper is an important catch throughout its range, especially for subsistence fishing, using handlines and fixed bottom nets. The fish is usually sold fresh. It is also caught commercially, and the catch is eaten locally in West Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea and Cape Verde.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus agennes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lutjanus agennes was first formally described in 1863 by the Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker, with the type locality given as 'Ashantee in Guinea'. Bleeker did not explain the derivation of the specific name, but it may be from agenes, meaning 'of low family', possibly a reference to its similarity to L. modestus. Bleeker also described L. modestus in 1863, and it is not clear whether this is a synonym of this species or L. endecacanthus.
The species has a relatively deep body with a pointed snout and a rather angular forehead. Its overall colour is reddish brown to slightly orange on the back and upper flanks, shading to pink or whitish on lower flanks and abdomen. Juveniles are marked with 6 to 8 vertical rows of small white spots or slender bars on their flanks. It occurs from the surface down to 80 m over rock substrates and reefs, and can also be found in brackish lagoons and estuaries, particularly in juveniles.
Lutjanus agennes is predatory, feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans. It may form large spawning aggregations away from the coasts in the open sea, and larger individuals have been observed by fishermen to congregate in large numbers in areas of rocky reefs to spawn. It is thought to be a long-lived species with a lifespan that may exceed 20 years.
Reader's Guide
Lutjanus agennes is an important fish for fisheries throughout its range, especially for subsistence fisheries, and is caught using handlines and fixed bottom nets. The catch is normally sold fresh. It is also caught commercially, and the commercial catch is both consumed internally in West Africa, especially in the Gulf of Guinea and Cape Verde, with some catch from Ghana and Senegal exported to Europe. This species is taken in mixed catch fisheries, and no separate catch statistics are available. Potential spawning aggregations are thought to be targeted in at least one part of their range. Despite fishing pressure, the African red snapper appears to be common, and juveniles are not caught throughout the range. There is some evidence of overfishing as the size of the fish caught is declining in some areas; for example, in Ghana, the average catch sizes are no greater than 60 cm. The IUCN has listed it as Data Deficient due to a paucity of information, suggesting that it should be carefully monitored, as fishing practices in the region, in conjunction with modelling results, predict a major reduction in overall biomass, and it may qualify to be assessed as Near Threatened or worse when more data becomes available. It is also a quarry species for recreational anglers in some parts of its range.
Did You Know?
- The specific name agenes may mean 'of low family', possibly referring to its similarity to L. modestus.
- This species can reach a maximum total length of 139 cm and a maximum published weight of 60 kg.
- It is thought to have a lifespan that may exceed 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lutjanus agennes?
The African red snapper — sometimes called the Guinean snapper or African cubera snapper — is a ray-finned marine fish in the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the Atlantic coastal waters running along Africa's western shoreline.
What are Lutjanus agennes's powers/role?
As a large apex predator, it can grow to roughly 139 cm total length and has been recorded at up to 60 kg, though most individuals hover around 50 cm. It sits near the top of the food chain in West African coastal habitats, preying on smaller fish and invertebrates.
Why is Lutjanus agennes important?
It anchors the predatory structure of West African coastal ecosystems, keeping prey populations in check. Its considerable size and regional abundance also make it a notable target for local commercial and artisanal fisheries.
Who named Lutjanus agennes, and what's the backstory?
Pieter Bleeker, a Dutch ichthyologist, published the original description in 1863 with the type locality listed as Ashantee in Guinea. The epithet agennes likely echoes a term meaning 'of low family,' perhaps a nod to its close resemblance to L. modestus, another species he described in the very same year.
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