Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 13-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Deep-bodied snapper. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped with pointed snout. Posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins pointed. Caudal fin distinctly forked with rounded 
lobes, upper lobe larger.

Body red to red grey darker dorsally and lighter ventrally. An orange hue to lower part of the opercle and the pectoral fin axil. Fins red to dusky, 
narrow white margin to soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Juvenile pale red to bluish grey, with a diffuse large round black spot at base of caudal fin.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm 21.5 cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 50 cm TL. Common to 35 cm TL.

(Allen 1985, cites maturity at “about 30 cm”. Heemstra states sexual maturity occurs at 26-30 cm).

Habitat and Ecology:

Mainly inhabits coral reefs, sometimes forming large aggregations (depth 1-150 m, but typically 6-30 m). Juveniles in seagrass beds, mangroves and mixed sand and coral 
habitats of shallow sheltered reefs. Sub-adults commonly form very large schools. Large individuals are found along coastal slopes at moderate depths. Feeds on fishes and 
a variety of invertebrates including shrimps crabs and lobsters, cephalopods. Forms spawning aggregations. 
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery (juveniles are occasionally caught in the trap fishery), it is a 
common and sometimes abundant component of the catch. Sometimes caught in large numbers from the outer banks of the Mahe plateau often together with the Black eye emperor 
(Lethrinus enigmaticus).   
 

Notes:

 

 

References:

Allen, G.R. (1985). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6 Snappers of the World. UNFAO Rome 1985.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/265 (25/03/19).
Heemstra, P. & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.
Russell, B. et al. (2016). Lutjanus gibbus. The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T194385A2328128.en. (25/03/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Lutjanus gibbus, Humpback red snapper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/lutjanus-gibbus-forsskal-1775/ (edited 20/07/22).