Pygmy snapper (Lutjanus maxweberi)

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 maxweberi · Authority: Popta, 1921 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 276542.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lutianus maxweberi Popta, 1921; Lutjanus palmeri Fowler, 1931.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276542 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 15 cm · Depth range: 3–4 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: subsistence fisheries · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Apparently restricted to freshwater streams and brackish waters, although adults are unknown (Ref. 55). Also found in mangrove lined inlets (Ref. 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 164) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-maxweberi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Lutjanus maxweberi Popta, 1921 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 194381) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194381/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2384852) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2384852/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The pygmy snapper was first formally described in 1921 by the Dutch ichthyologist Canna Maria Louise Popta with the type locality given as Muna Island off Sulawesi. Popta used the generic name Lutianus and spelt the specific name max weberi, these are now regarded as misspellings. The specific name honours the Dutch ichthyologist Max Weber who led the Siboga expedition on which the type was collected.

The pygmy snapper has a relatively deep body which has a standard length that is 2.2 to 2.7 times as long as the body at its deepest point. It has a steeply sloped forehead, and the preopercular incision and knob are weakly developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a crescent shaped or triangular patch with no central rearwards extension and there are no teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The rear of the dorsal fin and the anal fin are rounded or weakly angular. The pectoral fins have 16 rays and the caudal fin is emarginate. The overall colour of the body of juveniles is whitish marked with 4 sooty brown to blackish longitudinal stripes on the flanks. The adults are plain brownish on the back and flanks with whitish underparts. The maximum known standard length is 15 cm.

The pygmy snapper is found in the western Pacific Ocean where it has been recorded from the Philippines, Sulawesi and New Guinea. It occurs as juveniles in mangrove lined inlets, brackish waters and freshwater streams, the habitat of adults is unknown.

The pygmy snapper has a poorly known biology. It has been recorded in small groups.

Source: Wikipedia: Pygmy snapper — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.