Midnight snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit steep slopes of lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs , commonly on deep reef slopes and may be in small groups . Juveniles occur singly on protected reef slopes with feather stars, in staghorn corals or large sponges. Occasionally, they aggregate with M. niger. Apparently feed primarily on large zooplankton at night ; but also feed largely on fishes and crustaceans. Caught with handlines, gill nets, and traps, also speared by divers. Usually seen in markets and sold mainly fresh . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body relatively deep and laterally compressed, greatest body depth 2.2-2.4 in SL; dorsal profile of head convex in adults, in oblique straight line in young; maxilla without scales or longitudinal ridges; preopercle with a deep notch (or gash) receiving elongate interopercular spine (for individuals of about 20 cm SL); gill rakers of first gill arch 37-42 + 71-81 = 110-122; soft rays of dorsal fin usually 13; continuous dorsal fin with spinous portion distinctly notched in young; dorsal and anal fins distinctly pointed posteriorly, the soft ray of both fins, shorter than next to last ray; caudal fin rounded (individuals < 20 cm SL) and emarginate (individuals >10 cm SL); pelvic fins very long and pointed in young, but short and rounded in adults; soft dorsal and anal fins with scales basally; tubed lateral-line scales 50-55; juveniles with very long pelvic fins. Colour of adults dark grey brown dorsally and shading to yellow on head and ventral body, head with fine blue lines or spots, body scales with blue lines or short dashes, smaller adult with trace or juvenile pattern especially the white spots; juveniles with distinct black and white pattern, with more than 5 white spots on back; subadult similar to juvenile but with white spots on back more numerous and black areas with small white spots (Ref 9821, 90102).: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Midnight snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 90 m . Tropical; 31°N - 26°S, 72°E - 154°W widespread, but confused in the literature with Macolor niger.
🌿 Ecology
large zooplankton at night (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
"Midnight 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) | 111 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Midnight 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) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Midnight snapper ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.