Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Lutjanus endecacanthus · Authority: Bleeker, 1863 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 276533.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lutjanus modestus Bleeker, 1863.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276533 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 85 cm · Depth range: 5–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 54 of 100 · Fishery importance: subsistence fisheries · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults occur on rocky bottoms and (near shore) coral reefs, as well as in brackish lagoons and sometimes in lower courses of rivers (Ref. 2683, 57393, 81653). Maximum reported size only 200mm TL in Ref. 57393.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 794) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-endecacanthus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

59 georeferenced occurrence records for Lutjanus endecacanthus are published through GBIF from 11 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 4 distinct locations from a sample of 59 records, omitting 25 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 (17); Cameroon (11); Gabon (8); Benin (7); Sao Tome and Principe (5); Ghana (4); Angola (2); Congo, Democratic Republic of the (2); Equatorial Guinea (1); Mexico (1); Namibia (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2384898) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2384898&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276533 (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 Lutjanus endecacanthus Bleeker, 1863 as Data Deficient (code DD). 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 194388) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194388/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2384898) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2384898/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Lutjanus endecacanthus was first formally described in 1863 by the Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker with the type locality given as "Ashantee in Guinea". The specific name endecacanthus is a compound of endeka which means "eleven" and acanthus meaning a "thorn" or "spine", referring to the 11 spines in the dorsal fin. Bleeker also described L. modestus in 1863 and it is not clear whether this is a synonym of this species or L. agennes, Other authorities consider that this taxon may be a synonym of Lutjanus dentatus.

Description

Lutjanus endecacanthus has a moderately deep body with a pointed head which has an acute snout. The knob and incision on the preoperculum are weakly developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged a triangular patch and there is sometimes a rearwards extension. The dorsal fin contains 10-11 spines and 13-14 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays.

The long pectoral fins extend to the level of the anus and contains 17 rays. The caudal fin is truncate. The maximum total length recorded for this species is 85 cm. The adults are brown, darker on the back and upper flanks and paler on the lower flanks, with a silvery abdomen and brown fins.

The juveniles often have 6 to 8 vertical lines of white spots on the flanks and a pair of blue lines on the cheek underneath the eye. In individuals with a standard length of 15 cm have a dusky patch with white front and rear margins on the dorsal part of the caudal peduncle and to the rear of the dorsal fin.

Distribution and habitat

Lutjanus endecacanthus is found in the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is found along the coast of western Africa from Ghana to the mouth of the Congo River. reports from the Republic of Guinea may be erroneous. It occurs in shallow waters at depths between 5 and 30 m where it is associated with reefs and may be found over on rocky bottoms and coral reefs, it has also been recorded in brackish lagoons and occasionally in rivers and in shallow inshore waters.

Biology

Lutjanus endencacanthus is a predatory species which feeds mainly in fishes and crustaceans but its biology is otherwise very poorly known.

Fisheries and conservation

Lutjanus endencacanthus is important to artisanal and subsistence fisheries within its range. The species is known only from museum specimens and its range and taxonomic status are uncertain so the IUCN has classified its status as Data Deficient.

Source: Wikipedia: Lutjanus endecacanthus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutjanus_endecacanthus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.