LUTJANIDAE Lutjanus fulvus (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Lutjanus fulvus (Forster, 1801) Blacktail Snapper D X, 14; A III, 8; P1 16; LLp 47-50; GR 6-7 + 10-13. Body relatively deep and compressed. Preopercular notch and knob well developed. Vomerine tooth patch crescentic, without a medial posterior extension. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Color: back and sides gray to brown; often with narrow yellow of goldenbrown stripes; caudal fin blackish, dorsal and caudal fins with a narrow white border. Size: maximum length about 40 cm. Distribution: widespread in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the Marquesas and Line Islands, and from southern Japan to Australia. Introduced to Hawaii. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs in lagoons and on outer reef slopes. Juveniles sometimes found in shallow mangrove swamps. Feeds at night on fishes, shrimps, and other invertebrates. Commonly seen in markets. Caught with hook and line, traps, and gill nets. Sometimes causes ciguatera poisoning, particularly in the Pacific. (Yukio Iwatsuki)