Species: Lutjanus analis, Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828)

Mutton Snapper

Body relatively deep, compressed; front and rear nostrils simple holes; mouth relatively large, top jaw moderately protrusible, slips under cheek bone for most of its length when mouth is closed; one or more rows of pointed conical teeth on jaws, with large canines among outer teeth; patch of teeth on center of roof of mouth V shaped; sides of roof of mouth with 1 pair of tooth patches; 12-13 lower gill rakers; preopercle serrated, lower margin weakly notched; dorsal continuous, often with slight notch behind spiny part, usually X (rarely XI), 14 (occasionally 13); anal III, 8 (rarely 7), fin tip angular in large fish (rounded in fish <4 cm SL), middle rays elongated; tail edge concave to moderately forked; lateral line scales 47-51; body, cheek and operculum scaly; snout, below eye and both jaws scale-less; membranes of soft dorsal and anal fins scaly.

Back and upper sides olive, lower parts whitish with red tinge; upper body of resting fish may have series of narrow pale bars; iris red; a small dark spot just above lateral line below front part of soft dorsal, smaller in larger fish; blue lines and spots below, before and behind eye; fins reddish, especially anal, lower part of tail and plevics; rear edge of tail narrowly black. Juvenile with ~9-10 wavy yellow longitudinal stripes, with pale interspaces bluish white, plus ~6 indistinct dark bars; he lateral line passes through the lower 1/2 of the black flank spot, which is larger than in adults; body has rows of bluish spots.

Reaches 94 cm; 15.6 kg.

Vegetated and sand bottoms, mangroves, around the edges of reefs.

Depth range: 1-168 m.

New England to SE Brazil.