Mutton snapper  (Lutjanus analis)

The mutton snapper is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) is a striking fish. Adults vary from orange to reddish-yellow or reddish-brown, and juveniles from silver-grey to olive-green. The adult is often confused with the red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) because of its overall red colour (4). Interestingly, the colour pattern of the mutton snapper changes as it moves. At rest it has a barred pattern, however, when swimming it appears plain. The mutton snapper has long pectoral fins and pointed anal and dorsal fins (2).

The mutton snapper can be found through the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to south-eastern Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico (3). However it is most commonly located in the warm waters of Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Sea (2).

The beautiful mutton snapper is a reef-associated species, preferring shallow coastal waters and vegetated sand often surrounded by mangroves (5). Larger adults are often found in rocky habitats in or near offshore reefs, and juveniles prefer inshore areas such as tidal mangrove creeks (2). The snapper inhabits depths of between 25 and 95 meters, but is most often found between depths of 40 and 70 meters (3).

The mutton snapper’s prey changes throughout its life. As a larva, it feeds on plankton near the water’s surface. However, as it matures, it moves to shallow grass beds and feeds on larger plankton and small animals (2). As an adult, the mutton snapper will consume; fish, shrimp, crabs, octopus, squid and snails, and feeds both day and night (3) ‘picking’ at food items throughout the entire day (2).

The mutton snapper breeds between May and October, with a reproductive peak in July and August (4). The mutton snapper reaches sexual maturity at about five years of age, or when it grows to 40 centimetres in length, and spawning is associated with lunar cycles (6). The mutton snapper spawns throughout its geographical range, although principally in the north-eastern Caribbean (3) and typically returns to the same site to spawn year after year (2). After spawning, the adult fish move back into deeper waters (2).

The mutton snapper is a popular game species and a good quality food fish (2). As spawning happens relative to the lunar cycle, and often in large groups at the same site year after year, the time and location can be predicted by fishermen. This has led to over-exploitation of the mutton snapper in areas such as Long Caye, Belize, creating a need for conservation action (6).

The effects of over-fishing of the mutton snapper have been studied in order to develop management plans for the conservation of this species (7). In Florida, protection of spawning areas has been shown to lead to an increased abundance of the mutton snapper (6). Other potential protection measures include harvest bans, seasonal closures, area closures and the banning of certain types of fishing gear (6).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on the mutton snapper and its conservation:

Florida Museum of Natural History:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/muttonsnapper/muttonsnapper.html