Lutjanus decussatus (Cuvier, 1828)
Checkered snapper
photo by Cook, D.C.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern India and Sri Lanka to New Guinea, north to the Ryukyu Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.6-3.1 in SL; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed; vomerine tooth patch crescentic, without a medial posterior extension; tongue with a patch of granular teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 6 + 8-10 = 14-16. Colour generally whitish, with a `checker-board' pattern on upper half of sides, with dark brown bars and stripes, surrounding rectangular, whitish 'windows'; horizontal brown stripes 5-6, 2 on lower half of sides; caudal fin base with large black spot. (Ref. 9821, 90102) Description: Dorsal profile of head moderately sloped; preorbital bone usually about equal to eye diameter or slightly narrower; scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line (Ref. 9821).
Biology:  Adults inhabit both inshore and offshore coral reefs where they occur singly or in schools. Small juveniles on shallow protected reef flats and are used in the aquarium trade.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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