Snappers

Critter Spotlight: Macolor niger

Photo Credit: John Randall

These fishes belong in the Order Perciformes and Suborder Percoidei as members of the Family Lutjanidae (Snappers) which include 5 Subfamilies, 21 genera with about 125+ described species.

Even though there are over 200 species (described and undescribed), only a few are suited for the large home aquarium. Often difficult to get them to begin eating in captivity, require much swimming room, e.g., at a minimum a 500 gallon aquarium, and do not ship well. They eat a wide variety of meaty foodstuffs, including worms, shrimp, and small fishes. Once acclimated, they are hardy animals and non-aggressive to anything not small enough to be eaten.

Lutjanus

• Lutjanus bigattatus (Twospot Snapper)
• Lutjanus bohar (Twinspot/Red Snapper)
• Lutjanus decussatus (Checkered Snapper)
• Lutjanus ehrenbergii (Blackspot Snapper)
• Lutjanus kasmira (Bluelined/Bluestriped Snapper)
• Lutjanus sebae (Emperor Red Snapper)

Macolor

• Macolor macularis (Black and White/Midnight Snapper)
• Macolor niger (Black Snapper, Black and White Snapper)

Ocyurus

• Ocyurus chrysurus (Yellowtail Snapper)

Symphorichthys

• Symphorichthys spilurus (Threadfin/Highfin/Sailfin Snapper)

Symphorus

• Symphorus nematophorus (Chinaman Fish)