Brazilian snapper

The Brazilian snapper (Lutjanus alexandrei) is a snapper species found in the tropical Atlantic waters along Brazil's coast. It was officially described as a new species in 2007 by Brazilian marine biologist Rodrigo Leão de Moura and American marine scientist Kenyon C. Lindeman, with the type specimen collected at Camurupim Reef near Tamandaré in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Its scientific name honors Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, a pioneering Brazilian naturalist.

Description

This fish has a fairly deep body, with a depth averaging about 40% of its standard length. It features a long, pointed snout and a large, protractile mouth. Each jaw holds a row of conical teeth; the front pair in the upper jaw are enlarged into fang-like teeth that are visible even when the mouth is shut. The lower jaw also has pairs of pointed, canine-like conical teeth.

The vomerine teeth form an anchor-shaped patch with a noticeable extension behind its center. The dorsal fin is continuous, with 10 spines in front and 14 soft rays behind, separated by a slight notch. The anal fin has three spines and eight soft rays.

The preoperculum is serrated and has a poorly developed notch and knob. Color varies, but the fish is usually reddish with more or less clear vertical bands on the body and sometimes a diagonal band across the eyes. Blue spots on the face help distinguish it from similar species: an irregular line runs from the corner of the mouth to the edge of the operculum, with another short row behind the eye and a few scattered spots on the cheek. The largest recorded standard length is 24.3 cm (9.6 in), and the heaviest published weight is 199.9 g (7.05 oz).

Distribution and habitat

The Brazilian snapper is endemic to Brazil's coast in the western Atlantic, recorded from Maranhão state south to the southern coast of Bahia in the Northeast Region. It lives from tidal shallows down to 54 m (177 ft) deep, inhabiting coral reefs, rocky shores, brackish coastal lagoons, mangroves, and other shallow-water areas with a mix of soft and hard substrates. Juveniles are more common in mangroves and other shallow habitats, often schooling with juvenile dog snapper (L. jocu).

Biology

Like other snappers, it is a nocturnal predator. During the day, adults are found alone or in groups on reefs, often mixed with dog snappers.