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Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) — Lutjanidae

Tang's snapper

Lipocheilus carnolabrum
Family: Lutjanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) is a saltwater fish of the family Lutjanidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
90.0–340.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Tang's snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, pink to reddish body with fleshy lips and strong jaws. It lives over rocky bottoms of the continental shelf in deeper water. As a predator it probably hunts fishes and large invertebrates, which it grips with its strong jaws. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tang's snapper?

The Tang's snapper has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Fleshy lips and sturdy jaws; deep-water snapper and prized food fish.

Where does the Tang's snapper live?

The Tang's snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Tang's snapper get?

The Tang's snapper grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Tang's snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Tang's snapper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Tang's snapper edible?

Yes, the Tang's snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) — Lutjanidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) — Lutjanidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) — Lutjanidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Tang's snapper (Lipocheilus carnolabrum) — Lutjanidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tang's snapper verified
Scientific name
Lipocheilus carnolabrum
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Tang's snapper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large sourced
Max length (cm)
100.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
60.0 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
90.0 verified
Max depth (m)
340.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; rocky bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and large invertebrates 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
Fleshy lips and sturdy jaws; deep-water snapper and prized food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

More from the family Lutjanidae

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