Pacific cubera snapper (Lutjanus novemfasciatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Lutjanus novemfasciatus
- Common name
- Pacific cubera snapper
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Lutjanidae
- Genus
- Lutjanus
- Size
- 40–170 cm
- Depth
- 2–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Lutjanus novemfasciatus reaches 170 cm and 40 kg. Largest Eastern Pacific snapper and one of the largest Lutjanidae worldwide. Imposing uniformly brown-black to olive-gray body, juveniles with 9 dark vertical bands (hence novemfasciatus) fading with age. Lives solitary or in small groups from 2 to 60 m on rocky reefs, wrecks and mangroves from Gulf of California to Peru. Apex predator of fish and crustaceans. Trophy sport fishery (Pacific cubera). Exceptional wide-angle photo subject for its size. Pacific equivalent of Caribbean Cubera.
Photo of Pacific cubera snapper
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Pacific cubera snapper?
- Pacific cubera snapper (Lutjanus novemfasciatus) reaches 40–170 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Pacific cubera snapper?
- Pacific cubera snapper is found between 2–60 m deep.
- Is the Pacific cubera snapper dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Pacific cubera snapper?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Pacific cubera snapper?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Lutjanus
- Lutjanus synagris - Lane snapper
- Lutjanus jocu - Dog snapper
- Lutjanus apodus - Schoolmaster snapper
- Lutjanus griseus - Grey snapper
- Lutjanus analis - Mutton snapper
- Lutjanus argentiventris - Yellow snapper
Other species in the family Lutjanidae
- Ocyurus chrysurus - Yellowtail snapper
- Macolor niger - Black snapper
- Hoplopagrus guentherii - Barred pargo
- Macolor macularis - Spotted Snapper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 276544)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385015)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia