DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

LUTJANIDAE (SNAPPERS)

Aphareus furca (Lacepède)
(Reef Silvermouth; Gurutsu)
SL: to 32 cm (photo: 20 cm SL, Hap’s Reef, Agat, 9 m)

This small, solitary snapper is moderately common along clear lagoon and seaward reefs from 1 to at least 40 m.  It characteristically travels 1 to 2 m above the bottom as it searches for the small fishes and crustaceans on which it feeds.  Though small, it is good to eat and is generaly caught by trolling a light line over shallow reefs.  Occasionally small individuals bear a bright yellow blotch on their snout.

INDO-PAN-PACIFIC: E. Africa to insular areas of the E. Pacific; n. to the Ryukyus, Bonins, and Hawaii, s. to New Caledonia.