Family : Lutjanidae (Snappers) , subfamily: Lutjaninae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Mangrove red snapper
Fish Name : Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Max size : 150 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 3678); max. published weight: 8,700 g (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 18 years
Environment : reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 10 - 120 m
Climate : subtropical; 16 - 30°C; 32°N - 24°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.19; tmax=18)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Samoa and the Line Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia. Has dispersed into the eastern Mediterranean (off Lebanon) via the Suez Canal but not well established there.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Scale rows on back more or less parallel to lateral line, or parallel below spinous part of dorsal fin and sometimes rising obliquely posteriorly, or rarely with entirely oblique rows. Generally greenish brown on back, grading to reddish on sides and ventral parts. Trawl specimens from deep water frequently are reddish with dark scale centers and white scale margins, giving a reticulated appearance. Juveniles with a series of about eight whitish bars crossing sides, and 1 or 2 blue lines across cheek. L. argentimaculatus distinguished from the L. bohar by its longer snout and truncate tail and more bronze to greenish coloration (Ref. 37816).
Biology : A euryhaline species (Ref. 12743). Juveniles and young adults occur in mangrove estuaries, the lower reaches of freshwater streams (Ref. 30573, 48635, 44894) and tidal creeks (Ref. 44894). Adults are often found in groups around coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Eventually migrate offshore to deeper reef areas, sometimes penetrating to depths in excess of 100 m. Mainly nocturnal, this species feeds mostly on fishes and crustaceans. Excellent food fish (Ref. 5484, 44894). An important market species throughout the Indo-Pacific region, but never found in large quantities. A good aquaculture species because it doesn’t get rancid easily when frozen (Ref. 47992). It commands a good export market price with no limit on body size (Ref. 47992). No reported damaging diseases (Ref. 47992). Found in Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). Max length is 104 cm, max weight 14.5 kg and max age 39 years for specimens from the east coast of Australia (pers. comm., Andrew McDougall, 2007)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Dalzell, P.. 1991
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Allen, G.R.. 1985. (Ref. 55)

India country information
Common Names : River snapper, ചെം കലവ, కలి య్య , तामब, പഹരി, கர்வா, கருவளை, तामबुसा, செங்கனீ, தொக்கல், பருத்தி வலை மீன், பட்டானி கீளி, பருத்தி கண்ணி, பட்டீனீ கீளீ  , செப்பீலீ, செப்பிலி, മുറുമീന്, செங்கண்ணி, ചെന്പല്ലി, ചെന്വല്ലി, வெக்கட்‍டை, பருத்தீவலா மீன் , நெத்திபிரியான், நெத்தீபீரீன் , பருத்தீகன்னீ , வெக்௧ட்டை , கருவாளை , தூக்கல் , கார்வா , ಚೆಂಬಲಿ  , తుండవ , રટડો , రంగు , రంగు  , Banda, Banda, Chembali, Chemballi, Chenganni, Cheppili, Kaliviyya, Karuvalai, Karva, Mangrove red snapper, Murumeen, Nethiprion, Pahari, Paruthikanni, Paruthivala meen, Patani-keeli, Rangoo, Rangu, Ratado, Red snapper, Tamb, Tambusa, Thokkal, Thundava, Vekkattai
Status : native
Salinity : brackish, marine
Uses : no uses