About Lutjanus analis (Cuvier, 1828)
The mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis, has a moderately deep, almond-shaped body and a nearly lunate caudal fin. Its dorsal fin is almost two-lobed, and it has a sharply pointed anal fin. The long pectoral fin extends just past the origin of the anal fin. Both pairs of nostrils are simple holes. It has small eyes, a straight dorsal profile on the forehead, and a comparatively large terminal mouth with a protrusible upper jaw that is mostly covered by the cheek bone when the mouth is closed. The jaws hold 1-2 rows of conical teeth, with some teeth in the outer row enlarged into canine-like teeth. Vomerine teeth form a chevron-shaped patch, with an extra patch of teeth on each side of the palate. The dorsal fin has 10-11 spines and 13-14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays. The pectoral fin has 15-17 rays, most typically 16. This is a colourful species: the back and upper flanks are olive green, which shades to reddish on the lower flanks and abdomen. A black spot sits between the lateral line and the spiny portion of the dorsal fin. There is a pair of blue stripes beneath the eyes; the upper stripe continues onto the operculum. The caudal fin has a black margin, and all fins are red. When resting, this fish has 10 to 12 dark vertical bars on its body; these bars merge into a solid colour when the fish is swimming. Small juveniles, around 15 mm (0.59 in) long, have transparent fins and yellowish brown body bands. Larger juveniles have yellow body bands and a more prominent black spot than adult mutton snapper. This species reaches a maximum total length of 94 cm (37 in), with 50 cm (20 in) being a more typical size, and the maximum published weight is 15.6 kg (34 lb). The mutton snapper is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, where its range extends from Massachusetts in the north to Brazil in the south. It is most common in the warmer waters of Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. This species lives in comparatively shallow, clear waters from depths of 25 to 95 m (82 to 312 ft), where water temperatures range between 18.9 and 27.8 °C (66.0 and 82.0 °F). Larger adults live in and around offshore reefs and areas of rock rubble. Juveniles stay in inshore waters, and are abundant in habitats including tidal mangrove creeks, canals, and shallow protected bays. Juveniles often shelter within turtle grass beds.
