Lutjanus boutton

Osteichthyes Lutjanidae Genus Lutjanus Lutjanus boutton
Button snapper
15 cm TL. J. Randall, License: CC BY-NC 3.0
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Head and breast dusky reddish brown, grading to salmon pink, to yellowish grey on back and yellow below. Sometimes a small back spot, smaller than eye size below dorsal-fin soft rays. Fins yellow and a small brown spot at base of uppermost pectoral-fin rays.

Size:

Up to 28 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Adults found on coral reefs and drop-offs. Small juveniles found on shallow algal reefs and estuarine areas.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods and some planktonic prey items. Forms small schools of up to 40 individuals, also schools with other species. Little is known about the maturity or reproductive biology of this species. Maximum age is unknown.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught mainly with handlines and bottom longlines.

Similar species:

Lutjanus carponotatus
Spanish flag

Lutjanus carponotatus

Lutjanus carponotatus differs in having a vomerine tooth patch with medial posterior extension (vs. without medial posterior extension); yellow stripes starting on cheek (vs. yellow stripes starting on operculum) and head and body silver with bright yellow stripes (vs. head reddish, body yellow with yellow stripes).

to Lutjanus carponotatus

Lutjanus papuensis
Papuan snapper

Lutjanus papuensis

Lutjanus papuensis differs in having a preopercular notch poorly developed (vs. well developed); vomerine tooth patch with medial posterior extension (vs. without medial posterior extension) and bluish or grey on upper body (vs. yellowish grey on upper body).

to Lutjanus papuensis
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