The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is a species of snapper that can be found in marine waters across a wide geographical range. This fish is known for its distinctive appearance and its importance in both commercial and recreational fisheries.
Description & Characteristics
The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is a robust and moderately deep-bodied fish with a distinctive elongated snout. It typically reaches a maximum size of 100.0 cm, but individuals usually fall within a smaller range. Its color varies depending on the individual’s age and environment, but it typically features a reddish-brown body with a silver or golden hue, sometimes displaying reddish-brown bands across the body. The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) has a characteristically large mouth with a prominent lower jaw and strong teeth.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is a species that prefers to inhabit tropical and subtropical waters. It can be found in both coastal and offshore environments, with a typical depth range of 0.0 – 60.0 meters. It thrives in various marine zones, including inshore reefs, rocky outcrops, and sand flats, where it often seeks shelter among crevices and vegetation.
Taxonomy
The species Lutjanus aratus belongs to the family Lutjanidae, a diverse group of fish commonly known as snappers. This family falls under the Order Eupercaria incertae sedis, a group of fish with diverse characteristics that includes many well-known species. The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is further classified within the Class Teleostei, a large group of bony fish that represents a vast majority of the fish species found in aquatic environments worldwide.
Feeding
The Mullet Snapper (Lutjanus aratus) is a carnivorous fish, with a diet consisting primarily of smaller fish, invertebrates, and nekton. They also feed on zoobenthos, organisms living on the seabed, contributing to the overall health and balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.
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