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Blood snapper (Lutjanus sanguineus) — Lutjanidae

Blood snapper

Lutjanus sanguineus
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blood snapper (Lutjanus sanguineus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blood snapper is a large snapper (Lutjanidae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species has a robust, deep-red body, to which the name refers, with strong jaws and canine teeth. Adults inhabit coral and rocky reefs to at least 100 m deep; off South Africa they prefer silty bottoms. 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 Blood snapper?

The Blood snapper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blood snapper live?

The Blood snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blood snapper get?

The Blood snapper grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 70 cm.

Is the Blood snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blood snapper is harmless to humans.

Is the Blood snapper edible?

Yes, the Blood snapper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bloedsnapper sourced
English name
Blood snapper verified
Scientific name
Lutjanus sanguineus
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Blood snapper; Bloodred snapper; Humphead snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
13.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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