Guinea snapper
A poorly known snapper of West African coastal waters.
The Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) is a marine ray-finned fish in the snapper family Lutjanidae, found along West Africa’s coast in the eastern Atlantic. Its classification is unclear; some experts think it may be the same species as Lutjanus dentatus.
Pieter Bleeker, a Dutch physician and ichthyologist, first described this species in 1863, giving the type location as “Ashantee in Guinea.” Its scientific name combines *endeka* (“eleven”) and *acanthus* (“thorn” or “spine”), referring to the 11 spines in its dorsal fin. Bleeker also described *L. modestus* that same year, but it’s uncertain if that name refers to this species or to *L. agennes*.
The fish has a moderately deep body, a pointed head, and a sharp snout. The knob and notch on the preoperculum are weak. Its vomerine teeth form a triangular patch, sometimes with a rear extension. The dorsal fin has 10–11 spines and 13–14 soft rays; the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The long pectoral fins reach the anus and have 17 rays. The tail fin is blunt. Adults grow up to 85 cm (33 in) long. They are brown, darker on the back and upper sides, paler below, with a silvery belly and brown fins. Juveniles often have 6–8 vertical lines of white spots on their sides and two blue lines on the cheek below the eye. Fish about 15 cm (5.9 in) long show a dark patch with white front and rear edges on the upper part of the tail base and behind the dorsal fin.
This species lives in the tropical eastern Atlantic, from Ghana to the mouth of the Congo River. Reports from the Republic of Guinea may be wrong. It stays in shallow water, 5–30 m (16–98 ft) deep, near reefs, over rocky bottoms or coral reefs. It also occurs in brackish lagoons, occasionally in rivers, and in shallow inshore waters.
The Guinea snapper is a predator, feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans. Otherwise, its biology is poorly known.
It is important to local artisanal and subsistence fisheries. Because it is known only from museum specimens, and its range and taxonomic status are uncertain, the IUCN lists it as Data Deficient.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus endecacanthus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lutjanus endecacanthus was first formally described in 1863 by the Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker, with the type locality given as 'Ashantee in Guinea'. The specific name endecacanthus is a compound of endeka meaning 'eleven' and acanthus meaning a 'thorn' or 'spine', referring to the 11 spines in the dorsal fin. Bleeker also described L. modestus in 1863, and it is not clear whether this is a synonym of this species or L. agennes. Other authorities consider that this taxon may be a synonym of Lutjanus dentatus.
The species has a moderately deep body with a pointed head and acute snout. The knob and incision on the preoperculum are weakly developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a triangular patch, sometimes with a rearwards extension. Adults are brown, darker on the back and upper flanks and paler on the lower flanks, with a silvery abdomen and brown fins. Juveniles often have 6 to 8 vertical lines of white spots on the flanks and a pair of blue lines on the cheek underneath the eye. In individuals with a standard length of 15 cm, there is a dusky patch with white front and rear margins on the dorsal part of the caudal peduncle and to the rear of the dorsal fin.
Reader's Guide
The Guinea snapper is known only from museum specimens, and its range and taxonomic status are uncertain. It is found along the coast of western Africa from Ghana to the mouth of the Congo River, though reports from the Republic of Guinea may be erroneous. It occurs in shallow waters at depths between 5 and 30 m, associated with reefs, rocky bottoms, and coral reefs, and has also been recorded in brackish lagoons and occasionally in rivers and shallow inshore waters. The species is important to artisanal and subsistence fisheries within its range, but its biology is very poorly known. It is a predatory species that feeds mainly on fishes and crustaceans. The IUCN has classified its status as Data Deficient due to the uncertainty surrounding its taxonomy and distribution. The unresolved synonymy with L. modestus and possible synonymy with L. dentatus further complicate its conservation assessment.
Did You Know?
- The specific name endecacanthus means 'eleven spines', referring to the 11 spines in the dorsal fin.
- It was first described in 1863 by Pieter Bleeker, a Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist.
- The species is known only from museum specimens, and its taxonomic status is uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Guinea snapper?
The Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) is a ray-finned marine fish in the snapper family Lutjanidae that inhabits the eastern Atlantic off West Africa. It remains a relatively poorly understood member of that family.
How big does the Guinea snapper get?
It can reach a maximum total length of roughly 85 centimeters (about 33 inches). Its dorsal fin carries 10 to 11 spines followed by 13 to 14 soft rays, and the species epithet endecacanthus is a reference to those eleven spines.
Where does the Guinea snapper live?
It is found along West African coastal waters in the eastern Atlantic, typically at depths between 5 and 30 meters (approximately 16 to 98 feet). Beyond that general range, very little detailed habitat information is available.
Who first described the Guinea snapper?
Dutch physician and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker formally described the species in 1863, citing 'Ashantee in Guinea' as the type locality. The name endecacanthus blends Greek words for 'eleven' and 'thorn,' pointing to the dorsal-fin spine count.
Is the Guinea snapper a confirmed, distinct species?
Its taxonomic standing is still debated, and some researchers believe it may simply be a synonym of Lutjanus dentatus. Because of that uncertainty and the scarcity of data, it is generally regarded as a poorly known snapper of West African waters.
More in Snappers and Grunts, Part 3 1-24
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