Dory Snapper

Lutjanus fulviflamma, commonly known as the dory snapper, blackspot snapper, or red bream, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Lutjanidae, known as snappers. This species boasts a broad Indo-Pacific distribution.

The species was first formally documented as Sciaena fulviflamma in 1775 by Peter Forsskål, a Finnish-born explorer and naturalist. The type locality of this species is the 🌊 Red Sea. The specific epithet "fulviflamma" comprises "fulvus," meaning "brownish yellow," and "flamma," meaning "fire," possibly referencing the vivid yellow coloration of the dorsal region and caudal fin observed in some individuals.

Morphologically, Lutjanus fulviflamma exhibits a body shape ranging from moderately deep to relatively slender, with a standard length 2.5 to 2.9 times its depth, and a head with a gentle slope. The preoperculum features an underdeveloped incision and knob. The vomerine teeth can form either a triangular pattern with a posterior extension or resemble a rhombus, complemented by grain-like teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin comprises 10 spines and 12-14 soft rays, while the anal fin consists of 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The dorsal and anal fins’ posterior segments may appear rounded or angular. The pectoral fins possess 15 to 17 rays, and the caudal fin can be truncate or slightly emarginate. This species attains a maximum total length of 35 cm (14 in), with a more typical length around 30 cm (12 in). The snapper’s pale body is adorned with 5-7 narrow yellow horizontal stripes of equal width across its flanks; one stripe notably extends through the eye to the snout, and a quadrilateral black mark is present on the lateral line three-quarters along the body.

Lutjanus fulviflamma inhabits a wide expanse of the Indo-Pacific, residing in the 🌊 Red Sea from the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba, along the eastern African coast, and extending to eastern 🇿🇦 South Africa and eastward into the 🌊 Indian Ocean, including the 🌊 Persian Gulf and onward to the 🌊 Pacific Ocean, reaching 🇼🇸 Samoa. Its range includes the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan) of southern 🇯🇵 Japan and extends south to northern 🇦🇺 Australia. A singular record from the Mediterranean Sea, specifically Malta, suggests an eastern African origin confirmed through phylogenetic analysis. This species is found at depths of 1 to 35 meters (1 ft 8 in to 114 ft 10 in) and occupies diverse habitats. Juveniles are found in brackish lagoons and estuaries, whereas adults typically form schools over coral reefs and in deeper lagoons.

Lutjanus fulviflamma often associates with mixed-species schools, including the bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) and bigeye snapper (Lutjanus lutjanus) as adults. They prey on fish and crustaceans. Spawning periods vary regionally, occurring in spring and summer (August to March) off eastern Africa and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France), and extending from November/December to April/May in the western 🌊 Indian Ocean. As discontinuous spawners, females release between 51,000 and 460,000 eggs in batches per season, though specific batch sizes are still unmeasured.

This species is a prevalent target for subsistence fisheries and frequently appears fresh in fish markets. Lutjanus fulviflamma is primarily harvested using handlines, traps, and gill nets. Particularly in the 🌊 Persian Gulf, this species is of significant importance in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates coastal demersal fishery, captured using intertidal fence nets and dome-shaped wire traps. It also represents a crucial commercial resource in the coastal waters of Tanzania.