Checkered Snapper

Lutjanus decussatus is a species marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, from Sri Lanka to New Guinea.

Description

Lutjanus decussatus has a moderately deep body with a depth which is between a quarter and a third of its standard length with a moderately sloped upper profile to the head. The preoperculum has a weak knob and notch. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a crescent-shaped patch with no rearwards extension and there is a patch grain-like teeth on its tongue. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13-14 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays. The rear part of the dorsal fin and the anal fin have a rounded shape.

The maximum total length recorded for this species is 35 cm (14 in) although 25 cm (9.8 in) is more typical.

This species has an overall colour of whitish to pale greyish brown to reddish-brown stripes and bars creating a checkered pattern on the upper flanks, and they have a large black spot on the base of the caudal fin. They have pale coloured fins and a red submarginal stripe on the caudal fin.

Distribution

Lutjanus decussatus is found in the Indo-West Pacific region. Its range extends from Sri Lanka and eastern India east to Micronesia, north to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan and south to Australia.

In Australia this species is found at the Dampier Archipelago and the offshore reefs of northern Western Australia, at the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, and the northern Great Barrier Reef off Queensland.

Habitat

It is found in relatively shallow water, varying in depth from 2 to 30 m (6 ft 7 in to 98 ft 5 in) on coastal reef faces and sandy slopes where there are scattered patches of reef, they also less commonly occur on offshore reefs.

Juveniles are found on sheltered reef flats. Lutjanus decussatus adults may be solitary or live in small schools. They feed on fishes and crustaceans.