Five-lined snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit sheltered lagoons and exposed, outer slope coral reefs. Frequently encountered in large aggregations including 100 or more individuals at moderate depths, usually in 30-40m, like in some Pacific locations . Juveniles solitary and shallow in protected bays with algae and rubble substrates. They feed mainly on fishes and crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital width usually less than eye diameter. Preopercular notch and knob well developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Generally bright yellow, including fins, with a series of blue stripes on the side. A round black spot, about the size of the eye or larger, is below the anterior most soft dorsal rays, touching the lateral line but mostly above it . Body depth 2.3-2.9 in SL .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Five-lined snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 40 m . Tropical; 35°N - 37°S, 42°E - 176°W West Pacific: Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to Fiji, north to southern Japan.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Five-lined 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 | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 128 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Five-lined 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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