The blacktail snapper, Lutjanus fulvus, with its fine grey-yellow colouration, is one of the most attractive snappers; however, it is much less common than the related species L. bohar, L. gibbus, and L. kasmira, though it is not considered rare.
Details
§ 01
size
Common to 25 cm; max. 40 cm
color
Greyish pale yellow or white ventrally. Faint narrow yellow stripes may be visible on body. Caudal fin black, with narrow white margin. Anal and pelvic fins yellow. Dorsal fin reddish brown.
This species is known to frequent coral patches in lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of 2-40 m. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans, with occasional consumption of small fishes, cephalopods, and holothurians.
distinctive characters
This fish has a dorsal fin with 10 spines and 14 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, and a pectoral fin with 16 rays. Its body depth is 2.3-2.8 in standard length, and its dorsal profile of the head is steeply sloped. The preopercle has a prominent notch on the rear edge, and the posterior profile of the dorsal and anal fins are rounded. The scale rows are horizontal below the lateral line, but rise obliquely above it, and the caudal fin is emarginate.