Russell's snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit offshore coral reefs and also inshore rocky and coral reefs , at moderate depths, usually over 20 m, and is more common in about 50 m depth . Juveniles frequent mangrove estuaries and lower reaches of freshwater streams . They feed on benthic invertebrates and fish . Sold in Hong Kong live fish markets . A common market fish throughout its range; also a component of artisanal fisheries. Caught with handlines, traps, and bottom trawls and marketed mostly fresh .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep to somewhat slender, greatest body depth 2.6-2.8 in SL; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed; vomerine tooth patch triangular or diamond-shaped, with a medial posterior extension; tongue with a patch of granular teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 6-7 + 7-11 = 13-18 (including rudiments); caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate; scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Colour generally pink to whitish with a silvery sheen; a black spot, mainly above lateral line, below anterior rays of soft dorsal fin (adults from the Indian Ocean usually with 7-8 narrow golden brown stripes on sides); juveniles whitish with black stripes on sides and most Indo-Pacific fish with a pale-edged round black spot on upper back (Ref 9821, 90102). : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Russell's snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 80 m , usually 20 - 50 m . Tropical; 31°N - 38°S, 31°E - 178°W Indian Ocean distribution provisionally included as records of L.
🌿 Ecology
benthic invertebrates and fish (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
"Russell's 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) | 146 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Russell's 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
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Fingermark Bream · Moses Seaperch · Moses Snapper · Moses perch · Moses' Snapper · Red Bream · Russel's Snapper · Russell's One Spot Snapper · Russell's Sea-perch · Russell's snapper · Snapper · mosses perch |
| 🇫🇷French | Communard · Communard, Hublot · Hublot · Vivaneau hublot |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kurohoshifuedai · クロホシフエダイ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pargo ojo de buey |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 加規 · 勒氏笛鯛 · 火點 · 黑星笛鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutianus nishikawae | Smith & Pope | 1906 | Synonym |
| Lutianus orientalis | Seale | 1910 | Synonym |
| Lutianus russelli | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion russellii | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 37 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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