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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: humpback snapper

Synonyms and Other Names: paddletail snapper, humpback snapper, Lutianus tahitiensis Seale 1906, Lutjanus tearlachi Curtiss 1938, Lutjanus comoriensis Fourmanoir 1957, vivaneau pagaie (French), pargo jorobado (Spanish)
 

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Lutjanus gibbus is pale reddish-grey to orange in color with reddish pectoral and pelvic fins (Lieske and Myers 2004). Adults have a steeply-sloped, concave head and humpback profile. The caudal fin is large and forked with rounded lobes, the upper lobe larger than the lower (Randall 2005, Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 2022). Juveniles have a pale blue spot on each scale which forms the appearance of oblique lines on the body with a large black spot on the base of the caudal fin (Randall 2005). The vomerine teeth, a patch of teeth on the roof of the mouth used to hold prey, form a V-shape (Randall 2005).

Size: This species reaches approximately 50 cm fork length (Randall 2005).

Native Range: This species is widely distributed in the western Pacific and eastern Indian oceans from east Africa and the Red Sea to Indonesia, the Ryuku and Ogasawara islands, northern Australia, New Caledonia, Micronesia, the Line Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Marquesas (Mundy 2005).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Adults of this species prefer deep lagoon and seaward reef habitats from 1 to 150 m in depth, while the juveniles inhabit seagrass beds and coral in shallow areas of the reef (Myers 1999). By day the adults form large tightly packed stationary schools and disperse at night to feed (Randall 2005). Lutjanus gibbus adults have short conical teeth and jaw mechanics that produce a strong force for feeding on the preferred prey of crabs and other crustaceans (Nanami et al. 2010). Spawning occurs around the full moon throughout the warmer months of the year (Myers 1999, Nanami et al. 2010). In American Samoa, Taylor et al. (2018) describes clear sexual dimorphism in life span with females living up to 27 years and males only to 19 years. The median age at maturity for this population was 3.2 years (Taylor et al. 2018). In contrast, Moore (2019) found that in New Caledonia there were similar ages in life span with females reaching 38 years and males reaching 36 with maturity being reached around 3.4-3.9 years. Fishing pressure is lower in New Caledonia relative to other locations in the native range which could account for the variability in life spans (Moore 2019). This species is known to cause ciguatera poisoning (Bagnis et al. 1972, Myers 1999).

Means of Introduction: Stocked for fisheries enhancement.

Status: Although considered established in Hawaii shortly after its introduction, only a few scattered specimens were taken in the 1980s and early 1990s. The lack of specimens since the early 1990s casts doubt on the persistence of the species in the Hawaiian Islands (Mundy 2005).

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

References: (click for full references)

Bagnis, R., P. Mazellier, J. Bennett, and E. Christian. 1972. Fishes of Polynesia. Editions Du Pacific, Publications Elysees, France.

Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. and, P.J. Kailola. 2022. Trawled fishes of southern Indonesia and northwestern Australia. 2nd ed. The Australian Development Assistance Bureau, Australia.

Mundy, B.C.  2005.  A checklist of the fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago.  Bishop Museum Bulletin in Zoology, Number 6.

Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: A field guide for divers and aquarists. Coral Graphics, Guam.

Nanami, A. and T. Shimose. 2013. Interspecific differences in prey items in relation to morphological characteristics among four lutjanid species (Lutjanus decussatus, L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus, and L. gibbus). Environmental Biology of Fishes 96:591-602.

Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Taylor, B. M., Z. S. Oyafuso, C. B. Pardee, D. Ochavillo, and S. J. Newman. 2018. Comparative demography of commercially-harvested snappers and an emperor from American Samoa. PeerJ 6: e5069. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5069.

Other Resources:

Author: Brown, M.E., and Schofield, P.J.

Peer Review Date: 4/19/2006

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.