SPECIES NAME: Lutjanus purpureus Poey, 1867

COLORATION:

Summary:

The back and upper sides are distinctly red; the lower sides and belly are rosy, with a silver sheen. The fins are mainly red. A small dark spot is sometimes present at the upper part of the pectoral fin base. The iris of live, fresh, or freshly preserved specimens is red. Young have a rounded black spot, about equal to or larger than the eye in size, on the upper side below the dorsal fin's anteriormost soft rays. This spot disappears with growth, and is not typically evident in specimens over 30 cm in standard length.

Literature:

References to Lutjanus purpureus Poey, 1867: Allen 1985: Page 49 (key) - "....black spot below anterior soft dorsal rays present or absent" "No large, pronounced black spot at base and in axil of pectoral fin; black spot below anterior rays of soft part of dorsal fin present or absent" "dark area at base of soft part of dorsal fin absent" Page 51 (key) - "...a black spot below anterior part of soft dorsal fin, at least in young (this spot present in large L. analis, to at least 46.5 cm standard length, but disappearing by about 20 to 30 cm standard length in L. campechanus, L.purpureus, and L. vivanus)" Page 52 (key) - "...lateral spot on upper side of young about equal to, or larger than eye; iris red in live and freshly preserved specimens." Page 110 (text) - Colour: back and upper side deep red; lower sides and belly rosy, with a silver sheen; fins mainly red; a small dark spot sometimes present at upper pectoral fin base. Young with a rounded black spot on upper side below anterior dorsal soft rays, disappearing with growth."