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Twelvespine snapper (Lutjanus dodecacanthoides) — Lutjanidae

Twelvespine snapper

Lutjanus dodecacanthoides
Family: Lutjanidae

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

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Twelvespine snapper is a snapper (Lutjanidae) from reef and coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a robust, elongate body with a pointed head, a large mouth and strong canine teeth. As a nocturnal predator it shelters by day at reef, rocks and wrecks and hunts fish and crustaceans at night. It is a highly valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twelvespine snapper?

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

Where does the Twelvespine snapper live?

The Twelvespine snapper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines

How big does the Twelvespine snapper get?

The Twelvespine snapper grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Twelvespine snapper dangerous to humans?

No, the Twelvespine 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 Twelvespine snapper edible?

Yes, the Twelvespine snapper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Twelvespine snapper (Lutjanus dodecacanthoides) — Lutjanidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twelvespine snapper (Lutjanus dodecacanthoides) — Lutjanidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Twelvespine snapper (Lutjanus dodecacanthoides) — Lutjanidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ivan Samra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twelvespine snapper (Lutjanus dodecacanthoides) — Lutjanidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Paul Sorensen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Twelvespine snapper sourced
Scientific name
Lutjanus dodecacanthoides
Family
Lutjanidae
Other names
Snapper; Sunbeam snapper; Red snapper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines 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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