The blue-lined snapper (Lutjanus Kasmira), which is sometimes referred to as the blue-stripe snapper belongs to the snapper family of Lutjanidae. The blue-lined snapper is a common marine species found in the Indo-Pacific waters. It features a bright yellow body with about four to six horizontal blue stripes.
Blue-Lined Snapper Habitat
The blue-lined snapper is generally found on outer reef slopes of about 50-60 feet deep as well as in shallow lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region. Usually spotted swimming in schools, the Blue-Lined Snapper are not known to be territorial creatures. It enjoys the company of other fish from its species as long as they have enough space to roam around.
Blue-Lined Snapper AppearanceThese aquatic species are usually 12 inches in average and could grow up to 16 inches, quite large for a small aquarium. The
blue-lined snapper's head is usually steeply sloped and its pre-orbital width is less than eye diameter. It has about 11 or 12 dorsal spines, 12 or 13 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and about 7 or 8 anal soft rays.
Blue-Lined Snapper DietThe
blue-lined snapper is naturally a carnivore and feeds on small crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, as well as smaller marine fishes found on coral reefs. Despite its impeccable taste in food, the blue-lined snapper also can be fed with dry tank food. It will pretty much try to get its mouth on anything it can eat.
Blue-Lined Snapper Behaviour Toward Scuba Divers
Blue-lined snappers are docile creatures. It tends to ignore scuba divers when approached and are safe marine wonders to be around with.
Threats to the Blue-Lined SnapperDuring the late 1950s, the
blue-lined snapper was imported to the Hawaiian waters from the Marquesas Islands with the purpose of increasing available food fish in the region. It is not on the IUCN list of threatened and endangered species. Today, the
blue-lined snapper is a famously-appreciated food fish, but one must be careful as there are some reports of this fish species carrying ciguatera toxins.
