Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 15-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Very deep-bodied snapper. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Posterior profile of dorsal fin rounded. Posterior profile of anal fin distinctly pointed. Caudal fin 
truncate or slightly emarginate. Adults with thick fleshy lips.

Colour. Yellowish green to yellowish brown. Head with numerous pale blue, dark-edged, lines. Each body scale with 2 or 3 small bluish-white, dark-edged spots. Bright yellow 
outer dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin grey brown with yellow margin. Juveniles with a series of 3 to 8 brown bars on sides and a chalky-white spot, with a broad blackish 
margin, present below anterior soft dorsal rays at level of lateral line.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range 37 - ? cm. Max length: 80 cm TL. Common length: 60 cm TL.

(Allen, 1985, states specimens mature at about 50 cm).
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Occasionally encountered on coral reefs or shallow inshore flats. Also occurs in deeper water to at least 100 m (depth range 5-100 m). Usually solitary, in caves, under 
ledges, or occasionally in small groups of up to 15 to 20 fish. Adults are found on deep coastal slopes, juveniles on shallow algae-reef flats, often near freshwater 
run-offs. Feeds on fishes, cephalopods and benthic crustaceans. Forms spawning aggregations.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery and is a rare component of the catch.

Notes:
References:

Allen, G.R. (1985). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6 Snappers of the World. UNFAO Rome 1985.
Bray, D.J. (2018). Lutjanus rivulatus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/564 (26/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/173  (26/03/19).
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 rivulatus. The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T194356A2320019.en. (26/03/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Lutjanus rivulatus, Blubberlip snapper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/lutjanus-rivulatus-cuvier-1828/ (edited 20/07/22).