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Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) — Lutjanidae

Blue and gold snapper

Lutjanus viridis
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; coastal waters around rocky and coral reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blue-and-gold snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a yellow body with several conspicuous, blue-edged lengthwise stripes. Adults live in coastal waters, often around rocky and coral reefs, and sometimes occur in large schools. As a predator it hunts smaller fishes and crustaceans. It is caught with nets and marketed fresh. The species is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue and gold snapper?

The Blue and gold snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Yellow body with blue-edged longitudinal stripes; sometimes forms large shoals around reefs.

Where does the Blue and gold snapper live?

The Blue and gold snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; coastal waters around rocky and coral reefs.

How big does the Blue and gold snapper get?

The Blue and gold snapper grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blue and gold snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue and gold snapper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue and gold snapper edible?

Yes, the Blue and gold snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) — Lutjanidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Schofield, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) — Lutjanidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) — Lutjanidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson (Public domain)
Blue and gold snapper (Lutjanus viridis) — Lutjanidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue and gold snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus viridis
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Blue-and-gold snapper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; coastal waters around rocky and coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Smaller fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Yellow body with blue-edged longitudinal stripes; sometimes forms large shoals around reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fished with nets and rod in coastal waters. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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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