Bengal snapper
📖 Overview
Adults mainly inhabit coral and rocky reefs . They sometimes form small aggregations around rocky outcrops and coral heads during daylight hours. Feed on fishes and crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,13 or 14 (usually 13); A III, 8; pectoral-fin 16 or 17; lateral-line scales 47-50; horizontal scale rows above the lateral line 8 or 9; scale rows above lateral line rising obliquely toward dorsal profile; predorsal scales extending forward nearly to level of just above anterior edge of orbit; scale rows on cheek 8-11; without subocular extension of cheek scales; gill rakers on first arch 7 or 8 + 15-17 = 22-25; tongue is smooth, toothless; preopercular notch developed just above angle; interopercular knob inconspicuous; the first blue stripe is running from above anterior edge of eye and ending below the 7?9th dorsal-fin spine base; third stripe usually running from middle of upper part of opercle or anterior edge of upper opercle to below posterior fourth of soft portion of dorsal fin, reaching the last soft dorsal-ray base .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bengal snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 30 m . Tropical West Pacific: widespread; from South Africa to the Philippines; north to Japan.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bengal snapper is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 133 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bengal snapper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holocentrus bengalensis | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion pomacanthus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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