LUTJANIDAE Lutjanus vitta, 17.5 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Lutjanus vitta (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) Brownstripe Snapper D X, 12-13; A III, 8-9; P1 15-16; LLp 49-51; GR 6-7 + 9-12. Body moderately deep to relatively slender. Preorbital width about equal to eye diameter; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins angular. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Color: generally whitish or pink with a dark brown to blackish stripe on the middle of the side from eye to upper half of caudal peduncle; narrow brown lines, 1 per scale row, on sides, those above lateral line slanted posteriorly toward dorsal fin base. Juveniles and subadults with an intensely black midlateral stripe and an oval black spot. Size: maximum length about 40 cm,. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits the vicinity of coral reefs, also in areas with flat bottoms with occasional low coral outcrops, sponges, and sea whips. (Ukkrit Satapoomin)