Brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta)

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 vitta · Authority: (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218483.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lutianus vitta (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824); Lutjanus iita (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824); Lutjanus vita (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824); Lutjanus vittus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824); Mesoprion enneacanthus Bleeker, 1849; Mesoprion phaiotaeniatus Bleeker, 1849; Serranus vitta Quoy & Gaimard, 1824.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218483 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 40 cm · Common length: 35 cm · Depth range: 10–72 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 23.4 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: Adults are found in the vicinity of coral reefs, also areas with flat bottoms and occasional low coral outcrops, sponges, and sea whips. They occur singly or in groups of up to about 30 individuals. Feed on fishes, shrimps, crabs and other benthic invertebrates.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 184) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-vitta.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

16,577 georeferenced occurrence records for Lutjanus vitta are published through GBIF from 26 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 127 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 17 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: Australia (16,179); Thailand (71); Indonesia (63); Chinese Taipei (44); Philippines (42).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2384771) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2384771&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218483 (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 vitta (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) 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 194374) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194374/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2384771) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2384771/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Lutjanus vitta was first formally described in 1824 as Serranus vitta by the French zoologists Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard with the type locality given as the Waigeo in Indonesia. The specific name vitta means "band" or "ribbon", probably a reference to the single lonngitudinal stripe along the body of this fish.

Description

Lutjanus vitta has a moderately deep body which has a standard length which is 2.6 to 3.0 times its depth with a moderately steeped forehead. The incision and knob on the preoperculum are poorly developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged on a triangular patch with a rearwards extension or as a rhombus and the tongue has a patch of small grain-like teeth. The dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 12-14 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays, the rear tips of the dorsal and anal fins are pointed.

The pectoral fins contain 15-16 rays and the caudal fin is truncate or weakly emarginate. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm, although 35 cm is more typical. The overall colour is whitish to pinkish, there is a yellowish-brown to black stripe running along the middle of the flanks.

There are very thin oblique stripes above the lateral line and slender longitudinal brown stripes below it. The back and median fins are yellow. The juveniles and subadults have a wider, blacker stripe than the adults.

Distribution and habitat

Lutjanus vitta has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution from the Seychelles and Socotra in the west, the Maldives, southern India and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. In the western Pacific it is found from Thailand and Indonesia east to New Caledonia, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands and south to Australia extending north to southern Taiwan.

It occurs at depths between 10 and 72 m. In Australia it is found from the Houtman Abrolhos islands in Western Australia around the tropical northern coast to Moreton Bay in Queensland, as well as at Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea. It is found on coral reefs as well as in places where there are low coral outcrops, sponges, and sea whips.

Biology

Lutjanus vitta may be encountered singly or in schools of as many as around 30 fishes. It is a predatory species which has a diet comprising fishes, shrimps, crabs and other benthic invertebrates. Spawning occurs throughout the year off New Caledonia, peaking in spring and summer. This species forms spawning aggregations.

Fisheries

Lutjanus vitta is targeted by fisheries throughout its range, it is a common species in fish markets. The catch is normally sold fresh. It is typically caught using handlines, traps and bottom trawls.

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