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Button snapper (Lutjanus boutton) — Lutjanidae

Button snapper

Lutjanus boutton
Family: Lutjanidae

The Button snapper (Lutjanus boutton) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The button snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky, reddish-brown to coppery body, often with a small pale spot on the back. As a reef-dweller it lives around coral and rocky reefs and adjacent sand flats to about fifty metres deep and hunts small fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Button snapper?

The Button snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Button snapper live?

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

How big does the Button snapper get?

The Button snapper grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Button snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Button snapper is harmless to humans.

Is the Button snapper edible?

Yes, the Button snapper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Knoopsnapper verified
English name
Button snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus boutton
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Curry fish; Mollucan snapper; Moluccan snapper; Moluccen snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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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