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Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) — Lutjanidae

Indian snapper

Lutjanus madras
Family: Lutjanidae

The Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Indian snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, reddish body with fine longitudinal lines body with a large mouth and sharp canines. As a bottom-oriented predator it shelters by day near coral and rock and hunts fish and crustaceans mainly by night. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian snapper?

The Indian snapper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Indian snapper live?

The Indian snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others

How big does the Indian snapper get?

The Indian snapper grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Indian snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian snapper is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Indian snapper edible?

Yes, the Indian snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) — Lutjanidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Sahat Ratmuangkhwang (CC BY 3.0)
Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) — Lutjanidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Indian snapper (Lutjanus madras) — Lutjanidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Indian snapper sourced
Scientific name
Lutjanus madras
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Indian snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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