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Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) — Lutjanidae

Snapper

Lutjanus biguttatus
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–36 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The twospot banded snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, red-brown body with a white lengthwise band and two small white spots on the back. Adults live above coral-rich parts of outer reef slopes and often form small, stationary schools just above the coral. As a predator it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Snapper?

The Snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. White longitudinal band and two small white spots on the back; forms stationary shoals above coral.

Where does the Snapper live?

The Snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; outer reef slopes.

How big does the Snapper get?

The Snapper grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Snapper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Snapper edible?

Yes, the Snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) — Lutjanidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) — Lutjanidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jay Paroline, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) — Lutjanidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — portioid (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus biguttatus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Two-spot banded; Two-spot banded seaperch; Twospot banded snapper; Two-spot banded snapper; Two-spot snapper; Twospot snapper; Twospot banded-snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25 verified
Average length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
36 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; outer reef slopes.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
White longitudinal band and two small white spots on the back; forms stationary shoals above coral. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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