Fish
River Snapper
Lutjanus argentimaculatus
A hard-fighting reddish snapper that pushes into estuaries and rivers, dark above and flushed with red on the cheeks and lower flanks.
Also known as rivier- snapper
- Typical size
- Attains 80 cm
- Habitat
- Coral reefs and estuaries
- Depth
- To at least 70 m
The river snapper is generally dark brown over the back, grading to whitish or pink below with a strong reddish tinge, brightest on the cheeks and lower sides, and dark-and-light lines follow the scale rows beneath the lateral line. Small juveniles under 20 cm show one or two white spots. It reaches 80 cm.
Found on coral reefs to at least 70 m, it also runs well into estuaries and rivers, which gives it its name. It ranges from the Red Sea across the tropical Indo-West Pacific south to Durban, and is a favourite estuary target for its dogged fight.