African forktail snapper

The African forktail snapper, known scientifically as Apsilus fuscus, is a marine fish from the snapper family Lutjanidae. Its range is the eastern Atlantic Ocean, running along Africa’s western coast from Mauritania down to Namibia, and includes the Cape Verde Islands. When first described, it was the sole member of its genus, making it the type species of Apsilus by monotypy.

Description

This fish has a moderately long, spindle-shaped body. Its mouth extends back to the front of the eye, and all its teeth are bristle-like, with a V-shaped patch on the vomer. The space between its eyes is wide and rounded.

Its tail fin is forked. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 10 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The upper body and sides are dark brown, fading to lighter shades on the belly, chin, and throat. It can reach a total length of 75 cm (30 in), though 60 cm (24 in) is more common.

Habitat and biology

The snapper lives at depths between 15 and 300 m (49 to 984 ft), but is usually found deeper than 50 m (160 ft). It prefers rocky or coral substrates, often on reefs, and is seen alone or in small groups. A predator, it feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Distribution

In Nigeria, it has been reported in estuaries, and off Ghana, gatherings in waters shallower than 40 m (130 ft) may be linked to seasonal upwellings. It is rare in the northern part of its range and is very uncommonly caught off Senegal. Reports from the Indian Ocean are considered misidentifications.

Utilisation

The fish is considered potentially valuable to fisheries because its flesh is of good quality. It is caught with handlines, set nets, and bottom trawls, and sold fresh.

It also turns up as bycatch in commercial octopus fisheries. The species was first formally described in 1830 by French zoologist Achille Valenciennes, who gave the type locality as Porto Praya in the Cape Verde Islands. Its specific name, fuscus, means "dark" or "dusky," referencing its brown color.