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Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) — Lutjanidae

Blue and yellow snapper

Lutjanus kasmira
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–265.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; coral reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The common bluestripe snapper is a snapper of the family Lutjanidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a bright yellow body with four blue longitudinal stripes, a striking and recognisable pattern. Adults live on coral reefs, in shallow lagoons and on outer reef slopes, and often form large, densely packed schools around coral heads and wrecks. As a predator it hunts, mainly at night, fishes, crustaceans and other small animals. The common bluestripe snapper is a valued food fish and has been introduced beyond its native range, including around Hawaii. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue and yellow snapper?

The Blue and yellow snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Bright yellow with four blue longitudinal stripes; forms large shoals, introduced around Hawaii.

Where does the Blue and yellow snapper live?

The Blue and yellow snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; coral reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes.

How big does the Blue and yellow snapper get?

The Blue and yellow snapper grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Blue and yellow snapper dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Blue and yellow snapper edible?

Yes, the Blue and yellow snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) — Lutjanidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) — Lutjanidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Albert kok (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue and yellow snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Graham McMartin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue and yellow snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus kasmira
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Blue-banded hussar; Blue-banded sea perch; Bluebanded snapper; Blue-banded snapper; Common bluestripe snapper; Bluelined snapper; Bluestripe seaperch; Blue-striped seaperch; Bluestriped snapper; Blue-striped snapper; Yellow and blue seaperch; Blue-lined sea perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
265.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; coral reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crustaceans and small creatures 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
Bright yellow with four blue longitudinal stripes; forms large shoals, introduced around Hawaii. sourced

For anglers

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