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Bengal snapper (Lutjanus bengalensis) — Lutjanidae

Bengal snapper

Lutjanus bengalensis
Family: Lutjanidae

The Bengal snapper (Lutjanus bengalensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Bengal snapper is a colourful snapper (Lutjanidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, yellowish body with four conspicuous narrow blue longitudinal stripes. As a reef-dweller it lives in small schools around coral reefs between about ten and thirty metres deep and hunts mainly at night for small fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bengal snapper?

The Bengal snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Bengal snapper live?

The Bengal snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bengal snapper get?

The Bengal snapper grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Bengal snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Bengal snapper is harmless to humans.

Is the Bengal snapper edible?

Yes, the Bengal snapper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bengaalse snapper verified
English name
Bengal snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus bengalensis
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Bengal snapper; Red snapper; Snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Hengelsport sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lutjanus

More from the family Lutjanidae

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