divepix - Cubera Snapper

Cubera Snapper

Aspect:	Massive grey-brown body. Could be mistaken for a Mutton Snapper (q.v.), but lacks the latter's mid-body black stain, has much larger lips and stouter tail fin root, while tail fin end is straight-cut (as opposed to V-cut of Mutton Snapper). Another clue is the pectoral fins' white leading spines.
Population:	Rare, solitary. First seen by Divepix inside the Gustavia shipwreck cargo hold in 2008, another specimen was spotted in 2017 around the Franjack hull.
Notable feature:	Thick-lipped large and powerful mouth (the Cubera is carnivorous and also feeds on crabs), pale vertical dorsal lines.
Environment:	Usually found close to bottom, hiding in wrecks or under rock overhangs.
Behaviour:	In spite of its imposing size (specimen featured here being a good 80 cm to one metre-long) remains difficult to approach, and therefore to photograph.