Lutjanus vitta, FRLM 30651, 17.5 cm SL
Lutjanus vitta (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
Brownstripe snapper
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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, its depth 2.6 - 3 in SL. Anterodorsal profile of head moderately sloped; preorbital width about equal to eye diameter; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins angular; caudal fin slightly emarginate or truncate. 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; fins yellow except pelvics whitish. Juveniles and sub-adults with an intensely black mid-lateral stripe and an oval black spot, eye-sized or greater, lying in the middle of the stripe below last dorsal spines. Size: maximum length about 40 cm, commonly to 25 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean-West Pacific: southern India to New Caledonia and Gilbert Islands, extending northward to the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Remarks: inhabits the vicinity of coral reefs, also in areas with flat bottoms with occasional low coral outcrops, sponges, and sea whips; depth range 10 - 40 m. Occurs singly or in groups of up to about 30 individuals. Feeds on fishes, shrimps, crabs and other benthic invertebrates.
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