Lutjanus rivulatus

Lore & Background

Lutjanus rivulatus was first formally described in 1828 as Diacope rivulata by French zoologist Georges Cuvier, with type localities including Puducherry in India, Java in Indonesia, the Red Sea, and Malabar in India. The specific name rivulatus means 'marked by irregular streaks' or 'scribbled', referencing the many wavy blue lines on the head. It has a very deep body, steeply sloped forehead, thickened lips, and a pattern of blue lines on the head with finer blue dashes and dots on the body. Juveniles have a white spot on the flanks and 3-8 dark vertical bars, while adults have a blurred dark bar over the pectoral-fin base that becomes less distinct with age.

Reader's Guide

Lutjanus rivulatus is considered an excellent fish for eating, though consumption of its flesh has been linked to cases of ciguatera. It is an important species for artisanal fisheries throughout its range, caught using handlines, traps, and gillnets, and infrequently trawled. It also appears in the Hong Kong live fish trade and is grown in aquaculture in southeastern Asia. The species is associated with reefs, with adults found on deep coastal slopes and juveniles on flats with algal growths, often near freshwater discharges. It may be solitary or in small aggregations of 15-20 fishes, and is predatory, feeding on fishes, cephalopods, and benthic crustaceans. Sexual maturity is normally attained at around 50 cm in length, though individuals as small as 37 cm have been recorded as mature. It forms aggregations for spawning and is described as a wary fish despite its large size.

Did You Know?

• Lutjanus rivulatus can reach a maximum total length of 80 cm (31 in) and a weight of 11 kg (24 lb).
• Its specific name rivulatus means 'marked by irregular streaks' or 'scribbled', referring to blue lines on the head.