African forktail snapper (Apsilus fuscus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Apsilus.

Accepted name: Apsilus fuscus · Authority: Valenciennes, 1830 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 212548.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Apsilius fuscus Valenciennes, 1830.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212548 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Apsilus fuscus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 75 cm · Common length: 60 cm · Depth range: 15–300 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 50 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coralline and rocky bottoms (Ref. 2683). Feed on small fishes, squids and crustaceans. Flesh of good quality.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 86) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Apsilus-fuscus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

641 georeferenced occurrence records for Apsilus fuscus are published through GBIF from 20 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 38 distinct locations from a sample of 641 records, omitting 35 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Nigeria (118); Gabon (79); Ghana (78); Côte d’Ivoire (74); Liberia (63); Sierra Leone (45); Cameroon (44); Guinea (35); Guinea-Bissau (22); Equatorial Guinea (19); Benin (15); Togo (12); Congo, Democratic Republic of the (11); Congo (11); Cabo Verde (5).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5209890) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5209890&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212548 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Apsilus fuscus Valenciennes, 1830 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 194364) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194364/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5209890) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5209890/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The African forktail snapper has a moderately elongated fusiform body with a mouth which reaches level with the anterior part of the eye. All of the teeth are bristle-like and the vomerine teeth form a v shaped patch. The space between the eyes is wide and convex in profile. The caudal fin is forked.

The dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 10 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The upper body and flanks are dark brown, lighter on abdomen and cin and throat. This species attains a maximum total length of 75 cm, although 60 cm is more typical.

Distribution

The African forktail snapper is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean where it is found along the western coast of Africa from Mauritania to Namibia, including the Cape Verde Islands. It is rare in the northern part of its range and is very uncommonly caught off Senegal. There are claims of this species from the Indian Ocean but these are considered to be misidentifications.

Habitat and biology

The African forktail snapper is found at depths between 15 and 300 m, although it is typically encountered at depths in excess of 50 m. It is found over substrates consisting of rock or coral, frequently on reefs.

It is found with either singly or in small aggregations. It is a predator with a diet made up of small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. It has been reported from estuaries in Nigeria and gatherings in relatively shallow waters, less than 40 m, off Ghana may be associated with seasonal upwellings.

Systematics and etymology

The African forktail snapper was first formally described in 1830 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes with the type locality given as Porto Praya in the Cape Verde Islands. When Valenciennes described this species, it was the only one in the genus Apsilus, meaning that it was the type species of that genus by monotypy. The specific name fuscus means "dark", "dusky" or "swarthy" and refers to the brown colouration of this fish.

Utilisation

The African forktail is regarded as being of potential interest to fisheries as it has good quality flesh. It is caught using handlines, set nets and bottom trawls and the catch is sold fresh. It is caught as a bycatch by commercial octopus fisheries.

Source: Wikipedia: African forktail snapper — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_forktail_snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.