Lutjanus indicus

Lore & Background

Lutjanus indicus was first formally described in 2013 by Gerald R. Allen, William T. White and Mark V. Erdmann, with the type locality given as Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. The specific name indicus refers to the Indian Ocean. Within the genus Lutjanus, it is closest to the Western Pacific L. russellii, and it appears to be the western sister species of that fish. Records of L. russellii from the Red Sea, Eastern Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Mascarenes are likely to be of L. indicus, but this needs confirmation.

The striped snapper has a spindle-shaped body with a steeply sloped forehead and a large mouth. Its coloration is pale grey shading to silvery white on the lower body, with seven dark brown to yellow horizontal stripes on the back of the head and flanks. A distinctive black spot, larger than the eye, is present on the back underneath the first 6-7 dorsal fin rays, extending to just below the lateral line. The maximum recorded standard length is 22.6 cm.

Lutjanus indicus is known with certainty from the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, along the northern shores of the Indian Ocean to eastern India, the Gulf of Mannar, and western Thailand. It has been observed in coral reef habitat at depths between 5 and 15 m, though it has been trawled from as deep as 50 m. It is thought that juveniles inhabit brackish habitats such as mangroves and estuaries, even reaching into lower parts of freshwater streams, similar to L. russellii.

Reader's Guide

Lutjanus indicus is a recently described species that clarifies the taxonomy of snappers in the Indian Ocean. Its description in 2013 resolved confusion with the similar L. russellii, which was previously thought to have a much wider distribution. The article notes that many historical records of L. russellii from the Red Sea, Eastern Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Mascarenes are likely to be L. indicus, though this remains unconfirmed. This uncertainty is important for understanding the true ranges of both species.

Little is known about the biology of L. indicus, as it is a newly described species. It is a predatory species encountered as single fish or in small groups of up to five individuals. The species is frequently recorded in fish markets and is caught by commercial fisheries both as intended quarry and as bycatch. Its presence in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, as well as along the northern Indian Ocean, indicates a broad but patchy distribution. The potential occurrence in brackish and freshwater habitats during juvenile stages, if confirmed, would highlight its ecological flexibility. The striped snapper's distinctive seven horizontal stripes and prominent black spot aid in field identification, distinguishing it from related species.

Did You Know?

• The specific name indicus refers to the Indian Ocean, where the species is native.
• It has a maximum recorded standard length of 22.6 cm (8.9 in).