One-spot snapper (Lutjanus monostigma)

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 monostigma · Authority: (Cuvier, 1828) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218474.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lutianus monostigma (Cuvier, 1828); Lutianus monostigmus (Cuvier, 1828); Lutjanus lioglossus Bleeker, 1873; Lutjanus monostigmus (Cuvier, 1828); Mesoprion monostigma Cuvier, 1828.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218474 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 60 cm · Common length: 50 cm · Depth range: 1–60 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 39.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coral reef areas, usually close to shelter in the form of caves, large coral formations and wreckage. Usually solitary; occasionally occurring in small groups. They feed mainly on fishes and benthic crustaceans, primarily crabs (Ref. 37816) at night. Flesh is sometimes ciguatoxic, and commonly so in Tuvalu (Ref. 9513).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 166) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-monostigma.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

3,472 georeferenced occurrence records for Lutjanus monostigma are published through GBIF from 59 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 350 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 31 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: United States Minor Outlying Islands (370); Micronesia (Federated States of) (344); American Samoa (336); Australia (299); Indonesia (200).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385027) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385027&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218474 (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 monostigma (Cuvier, 1828) 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 194376) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194376/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385027) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385027/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Lutjanus monostigma Was first formally described in 1828 as Mesoprion monostigmaby the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with the type locality given as the Seychelles. The specific name is a compound of mono meaning "one" and stigma meaning "mark", a reference to the black spot located underneath the front dorsal fin rays, a feature obvious in juveniles but which fades in many adults.

Description

Lutjanus monostigmahas a relatively deep body which has a standard length that is 2.6 to 3.0 times as long as the body at its deepest point. It has a gently sloped forehead, and the preopercular incision and knob are weakly developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a crescent shaped patch with no central rearwards extension and there are no teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13-14/soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays.

The rear of the dorsal fin and the anal fin are rounded or quite angular. The pectoral fins have 15-17 rays and the caudal fin is truncate or weakly emarginate.

This fish attains a maximum total length of 60 cm, although 50 cm is more typical. The overall colour is whitish to pink or grey with yellow fins and there is a black spot or blotch on the posterior of the body. As the fish matures this spot shrinks and becomes more oblong in shape.

Distribution and habitat

Lutjanus monostigma is widespread in the Indo-Pacific from the coast of eastern Africa where it is found from the Red Sea south to Sodwana Bay in South Africa. It is also found in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean islands, south eastern Indian and Sri Lanka and from Southeast Asia east to the Marquesas and Line Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan and south to Australia. Adults live in coral reef areas, usually close to caves and coral formations, at depths between 1 and 60 meters.

Biology

Lutjanus monostigma is a nocturnal predator which feeds mainly on fishes, but on benthic crustaceans as well. They are typically solitary, but are sometimes encountered in small schools. Off Papua New Guinea half of the females were estimated to attain sexual maturity at a total length of 32 cm and at 3 years of age. This medium sized snapper is estimated to have a maximum lifespan of 13 years.

Fisheries and conservation

Lutjanus monostigma is an important fish for commercial fisheries in many areas where it is found, especially in Oceania. The fish landed are mainly sold as fresh fish and the fishing methods used are mainly handlines, traps and gillnets. This species is known to be ciguatoxic, particularly so in Tuvalu. The onespot snapper is a widespread species and it is thought to occur in many areas where there is low levels of fishing and in these areas it is still numerous, for these reasons the IUCN classify it as Least Concern.

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