Mutton snapper
Lutjanus analis
(Cuvier, 1828)

Description:
Body oblong-shaped, with a triangular head and a shallow notched tail. Body silver to gray, reddish brown and maroon, fins with a reddish tint. May lighten or darken dramatically. A black spot is on the upper back just above the lateral line (absent on rare occasion). Occasionally display black bars. Slightly upturned snout with a large mouth and prominent canine teeth near the front of the jaw. A pair of blue stripes runs on the snout-cheek region, the upper continuing behind the eye to the upper opercle edge. Pectoral fins are long, reaching the level of the anus. Anal fin pointed.
Size up to 94 cm.

Habitat:
Occurs in continental shelf areas as well as in clear water around islands, between 25 and 95 m. Large adults usually among rocks and corals, while juveniles occur over sandy areas or seagrass beds. Forms small aggregations that disband during the night. Feeds both day and night on small fish, shrimps, crabs, cephalopods and gastropods.

Distribution:
Occasional Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Superclass Pisces
Class Osteichthyes
Family Lutjanidae
Genus Lutjanus
Species Lutjanus analis

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Lutjanus analis (Cuvier, 1828)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Mutton snapper [English]
Carpitan [Papiamentu]
Vivaneau sorbe [French]

Humann, P., 1989. Reef Fish Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

Nagelkerken, W.P., 1981. Distribution and ecology of the Groupers (Serranidae) and Snappers (Lutjanidae) of the Netherlands Antilles. Publications of the foundation for scientific research in Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles, 107(3).

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