African Cubera Snapper

Diagnosis: head pointed; gape of mouth wide (Ref. 57393). Body relatively deep; dorsal head profile straight or somewhat concave; lachrymal bone broad (Ref. 81653). Maxilla extending nearly to mid-eye level (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Vomerine tooth plate triangular, sometimes with a short postero-median extension (Ref. 57393, 81653). Preopercular notch and knob weak; pectoral fins of adults not reaching level of anus (Ref. 55, 81653). Scales medium-sized; 5 or 6 transverse scale rows on cheeks (Ref. 57393, 81653). Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), 4 rows below middle of spinous part of dorsal fin (Ref. 57393, 81653). Reddish brown to slightly orange on back and upper sides, grading to pink or whitish on lower sides and belly; tips of pelvic fins very dark (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). No blue line on cheeks (Ref. 57393, 81653). Juveniles with a series of about 6 to 8 vertical rows of small white spots or narrow bars on side (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Active predators particularly in the evening, in small groups or individuals (Ref. 37413).

Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and (inshore) coral reefs; also common in brackish lagoons and found in lower courses of rivers, particularly juveniles (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Marketed fresh.

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: high; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus