Pacific dog snapper
Largest snapper species, native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific dog snapper, also known as the Pacific cubera snapper (Lutjanus novemfasciatus), is a marine ray-finned fish from the snapper family Lutjanidae. It lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This is the biggest snapper species, growing up to 170 cm long and weighing as much as 35.7 kg.
American ichthyologist Theodore Nicholas Gill first described the species in 1862, based on a specimen from Baja California. Its scientific name, *novemfasciatus*, means "nine-banded," referring to the faint bands on its sides.
The fish has an oblong body, with a depth about 31 to 35 percent of its standard length. It has a pointed snout with two pairs of simple nostril holes—one in front, one behind. Its large, protrusible mouth holds conical and canine-like teeth, with the front teeth enlarged into fangs longer than the pupil's diameter. The preoperculum is serrated, with a weak incision and knob. Vomerine teeth form a crescent-shaped patch without a rear extension, and the tongue has patches of granular teeth. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13 to 14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays; both fins are continuous with rounded rear ends. Pectoral fins have 16 or 17 rays, and the caudal fin is either truncate or slightly notched. Color ranges from dark to pale red, fading to silver on the belly. Juveniles and most adults show 8 to 9 vertical bars on the upper sides, though these bars often fade quickly after death. Fins are mostly brownish in adults; juveniles have a black tail fin and a black margin on the spiny part of the dorsal fin. The inside of the mouth is orange.
This species lives in the eastern Pacific from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California, Galápagos Islands, Cocos Island, and Malpelo Island. It is an inshore, reef-associated fish that prefers hard bottoms, though juveniles have been found in freshwater.
A nocturnal predator, it feeds at night on crustaceans and schooling fish like croakers, grunts, and wrasses, hiding during the day. In Mexico, it migrates to inshore waters in early summer most years.
The Pacific dog snapper is important for subsistence fishing in Colombia and commercial fishing in Nicaragua. It is also a popular target for spearfishing in the Gulf of California.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus novemfasciatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lutjanus novemfasciatus was first formally described in 1862 by American ichthyologist Theodore Nicholas Gill, with the type locality given as Baja California. The specific name novemfasciatus means 'nine-banded', referring to the nine indistinct bands on its flanks. The species has an oblong body with a depth of 31% to 35% of its standard length, a sharp snout with two pairs of nostrils, and a large protrusible mouth with conical and canine-like teeth, the front teeth enlarged into fangs longer than the pupil diameter. The dorsal fin is continuous with 10 spines and 13-14 soft rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays, and the caudal fin may be truncate or weakly emarginate. Overall color varies from dark to pale red, shading to silver on the abdomen; juveniles and most adults have 8-9 vertical bars on the upper flanks that may fade quickly after death. The skin inside the mouth is orange.
Reader's Guide
The Pacific dog snapper is an important quarry for subsistence fisheries in Colombia and for commercial fisheries in Nicaragua, and is a popular target for spearfishing in the Gulf of California. It is an inshore, reef-associated fish preferring hard substrates, though juveniles have been recorded entering freshwater. A nocturnal predator, it feeds at night on crustaceans and smaller schooling fish such as croakers, grunts, and wrasses, sheltering during daylight. In Mexico, this species is migratory, arriving in inshore waters in early summer in most years. Its large size and distinctive barred pattern make it a notable species among snappers, though the bars may fade after death. The species is found from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California, Galápagos Islands, Cocos Island, and Malpelo Island.
More in Snappers and Grunts, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced