Lutjanus bigattatus

(Valenciennes, 1830)

Twospot Snapper

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Maldives to Solomon Islands, north to the Philippines and Palau, and south to northern Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 8 inches (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef faces and slopes at depths between 10 – 120 feet (3 – 35 m) and feeds on crustaceans, crabs, worms and various other benthic invertebrates and small fish. Usually found in small to large groups.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade. Has an elongated body that is grey on top from the snout to caudal peduncle, two lengthwise orange-brown horizontal bands divided by a white band, and with a yellow dorsal, anal, pelvic and tail fin. There are two white spots, hence the common name, on the mid to aft upper grey body area.

Even though one of the smaller species in this genus, it requires very large fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas, and also caves and overhangs to take shelter in when it feels it needs to, to continue to survive in captivity.

As to diet, will eat a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.), including any ornamental crustaceans and small fish in the aquarium, and should be fed at least once per day.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Lutjanidae

Genus: Lutjanus

FYI: One per aquarium, simply because it needs a lot of open swimming area.

Groupers, angelfish, and triggerfish are good tankmates.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Active/aggressive

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Fish Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Active and slightly aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 200+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 29°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5