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Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) — Lutjanidae

Darktail snapper

Lutjanus lemniscatus
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs and silty bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowstreaked snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with yellowish tints and strong jaws with canine teeth. Adults live solitarily or in small groups on offshore reefs and muddy bottoms; juveniles are sometimes seen closer to shore. As a predator it hunts fishes and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Darktail snapper?

The Darktail snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Yellowish tints and canine teeth; predatory snapper of offshore reefs, valued food fish.

Where does the Darktail snapper live?

The Darktail snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs and silty bottoms.

How big does the Darktail snapper get?

The Darktail snapper grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Darktail snapper dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Darktail snapper edible?

Yes, the Darktail snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) — Lutjanidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) LEE Yeung, Gabriel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) — Lutjanidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — portioid (CC BY 4.0)
Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) — Lutjanidae — 4
Suzu Sato (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Darktail snapper (Lutjanus lemniscatus) — Lutjanidae — 5
wingwatcher48 (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Darktail snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus lemniscatus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Dark-tailed sea perch; Dark-tailed seaperch; Dark-tailed sea-perch; Dusky-tail snapper; Maroon sea-perch; Yellowstreaked snapper; Red snapper; Snapper; Sweetlip snapper; Tropical snapper; Yellow streaked snapper; Yellow-streaked seaperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs and silty bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small 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
Yellowish tints and canine teeth; predatory snapper of offshore reefs, valued food fish. 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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