Checkered snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit both inshore and offshore coral reefs where they occur singly or in schools. Small juveniles on shallow protected reef flats and are used in the aquarium trade.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.6-3.1 in SL; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed; vomerine tooth patch crescentic, without a medial posterior extension; tongue with a patch of granular teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 6 + 8-10 = 14-16. Colour generally whitish, with a `checker-board' pattern on upper half of sides, with dark brown bars and stripes, surrounding rectangular, whitish 'windows'; horizontal brown stripes 5-6, 2 on lower half of sides; caudal fin base with large black spot. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Checkered snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m . Tropical; 31°N - 19°S, 75°E - 142°E West Pacific: southern India and Sri Lanka to New Guinea, north to the Ryukyu Islands.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Checkered 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 | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 135 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Checkered 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutianus decussatus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus decussates | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus dessucatus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion decussatus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion therapon | Day | 1870 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 21 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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