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Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) — Lutjanidae

Lunartail snapper

Lutjanus lunulatus
Family: Lutjanidae

The Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Djibouti and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Lunartail snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a deep, red-brown body with a dark crescent mark on the tail 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 Lunartail snapper?

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

Where does the Lunartail snapper live?

The Lunartail snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Djibouti and others

How big does the Lunartail snapper get?

The Lunartail snapper grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Lunartail snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Lunartail 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 Lunartail snapper edible?

Yes, the Lunartail snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) — Lutjanidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Thundercracker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) — Lutjanidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) pelagis04, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ivan Samra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lunartail snapper (Lutjanus lunulatus) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Egor Dyukarev, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lunartail snapper sourced
Scientific name
Lutjanus lunulatus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Crescent snapper; Lunartail seaperch; Lunartail snapper; Snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Djibouti 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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