Blubberlip snapper
📖 Overview
Occasionally encountered in coral reefs or shallow inshore flats . Found singly or in small groups (up to 15 to 20 individuals). Adults on deep coastal slopes; juveniles on shallow algae-reef flats, often near freshwater run-offs . Feed on fishes, cephalopods and benthic crustaceans . An excellent food fish. In Hong Kong live fish markets . Caught with handlines, traps, and gill nets, occasionally trawled; important to artisanal fisheries and marketed mostly fresh . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 57178.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body very deep, greatest depth 2.1-2.4 in SL; lips greatly thickened in adults; preopercular notch and knob moderately developed; vomerine tooth patch crescentic, without a medial posterior extension; tongue smooth, no teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 6 + 11-12 =17-18; caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Colour generally brown with a reddish tinge; each scale on side with a pale brown border and 2-3 small bluish white spots in central portion; head with numerous undulating blue lines; lips tan; fins largely yellowish to dusky grey-brown; juveniles with a series of 3-8 brown bars on sides and a chalky white spot, with a broad blackish margin, present below anterior soft dorsal-fin rays at level of lateral line, preceded by similar-sized black spot on middle of side . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blubberlip snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blubberlip snapper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Blubberlip snapper is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 150 m . Tropical; 35°N - 31°S, 31°E - 145°W East Africa to Tahiti, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, cephalopods and benthic crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blubberlip 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 | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 131 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blubberlip snapper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blubberlip snapper · Blue-spotted Sea-perch · Blue-spotted Seaperch · Maori Bream · Maori Sea-perch · Maori Seaperch · Maori Snapper · Maori Snapper, Blubberlip snapper · Multi-coloured Snapper · Scribbled Snapper · Speckled Snapper · Tropical Snapper · Yellowfin Snapper |
| 🌍CES | chňapal pyskatý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Flæbesnapper |
| 🇩🇪German | Blaulippen-Schnapper |
| 🇫🇷French | Perche maori · Vivaneau maori |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Namifuedai · ナミフエダイ |
| 🌍MLG | Votro |
| 🌍MSA | Gaga |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Caranha-maori |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Маорийский луциан · Речной луциан |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pargo maorí |
| 🌍TAH | haputu |
| 🌍THA | ปลากะพงจุดขาว · ปลากะพงหน้าลาย |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 大花臉 · 海雞母 · 海雞母笛鯛 · 藍點笛鯛 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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