Snapper
Family
The snapper from the Lutjanidae family has a robust and scaled body.
Their firm dentition, sharp and very effective, is feared by crustaceans, fish
and zooplankton. The ‘snapper’ label alludes to their dental phenomenon. During
the day, the Lutjanidaes operate in pretty large numbers, hovering over coral
reefs or exploring estuaries and off-shore coastal waters. The numbers dissolve
during the night, announcing a feeding mission, focused on benthic
invertebrates. All family members are carnivorous and have a gastronomic craving
for small fishes, invertebrates, no matter if they are benthic or planktonic.
Blue-Lined/Striped Snapper
Size up to 34cm
(1,11ft). Depth up to 265m (870ft)
The blue-striped snapper’s has a regular shaped and olive green-yellow body
, prettified with four jagged blue lines, running horizontally on either side.
The juveniles are happy above carpets of sea grass. The adults congregate
around heads of coral. It hunts nocturnally, chasing crustaceans and small
fishes.
Humpback Snapper
Size up to 50cm (1,64ft).
Depth up to 150 m (492ft)
The robust humpback’s colour tunes go from reddish-grey to subdued
orange, while the fins are almost scarlet red. It doesn’t shy away from
coralline bottoms, deep lagoons and seaward reefs. It seeks company of other humpback
friends during the day, only to part after sunset, making life of crabs
miserable. It regroups at the first sunrays.
One-Spotted Snapper
Size up to 60 cm (1,96ft).
Depth up to 30m (98,4ft)
Peculiarly enough, the one-spot snapper has two black spots along its
sides, connected with the caudal fin by a thin lateral line. The set of fins
are primarily yellow and the tapering body silvery to yellow, sometimes
flirting with pink. It’s a familiar visitor of coralline zones, infested with
sheltered areas like dense coral formations. The nocturnal one-spot snapper
eats crustaceans and fish and does so in company of congeners.
Twin-Spotted Snapper
Size up to 90 cm (2,95 ft).
Depth up to 180m (295 ft)
The stout twinspot snapper’s name derives from the two white dorsal
spots when juvenile. Its healthy body is tapered and carries a fine coloured
patchwork of reddish-brown purple-like tinges, fading into dark pink. The
twinspot is a nocturnal hunter, feeding on fish and crustaceans and other
invertebrates. It is a typical coral reef inhabitant.
Other Family Members
Ehrenberg Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Nurse Snapper