26. Lutjanus malabaricus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Malabar red snapper (Figure 27)

Material examined: 1 ex., 08.06.2011, Mohana, Digha, Reg No. MARC /ZSI/F1829.

Description: D: 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body relatively deep, dorsal profile of head steeply sloped; tongue smooth, without teeth;caudal fin truncate. Body red, pale in lower part; fins reddish; black band on caudal peduncle. Caught mainly by handlines, very common, commercially important and excellent food fish.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.

Remarks: The fish is highly commercial, gamefish, ornamental. Size: 100 cm.