Lutjanidae

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Lutjanidae (snapper; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A very large family of mainly marine fish that have rather deep bodies, a continuous, slightly notched dorsal fin, and a slightly forked tail fin. The jaws bear large ‘canine’ teeth. Snappers are important food fish and popular with fishermen, but may sometimes carry ciguatera poison. Lutjanus argentimaculatus (mangrove jack), 91 cm, sometimes enters estuaries along the coast of northern Australia. About 230 species are distributed throughout the tropical seas.

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