---
title: Snappers (Lutjanidae)
scientific_name: Lutjanidae
common_name: Snappers
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:17:57.219Z
tags: Snappers, Lutjanidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers
---

# Snappers (*Lutjanidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Lutjanidae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 15

## How to recognise this group

- stout, oval body shape, deeper than thick
- large mouth
- overall coloration often silvery, reddish, or yellowish
- some species with distinct blue stripes on head or body
- found solitary, in small groups, or large schools

Snappers are marine fishes typically characterised by robust, often deep bodies, a continuous dorsal fin, and large mouths equipped with prominent canine teeth. Their eyes are often relatively large, particularly in species active during low light. Body colours are diverse, ranging from silvery to reddish or yellow, with some species displaying distinct blue stripes or dark blotches. They vary significantly in size, from around 20 cm (8 in) to over 100 cm (40 in) in total length. The common name "snapper" refers to their habit of rapidly snapping their jaws when feeding.

These active predators inhabit coral and rocky reefs, occurring from shallow waters down to depths exceeding 100 m (330 ft), with many commonly observed on reef slopes and drop-offs between 1 and 60 m (3-200 ft). They feed primarily on smaller fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. While some species are solitary or form smaller groups, others gather in large, often dense schools, particularly during the day when resting in reef shelters. Many become more active hunters at dawn and dusk. Snappers are frequently encountered throughout the Red Sea, often seen resting under ledges or foraging over the reef.


## Species (15)

- [Bigeye Snapper (Lutjanus lutjanus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/bigeye-snapper)
- [Black Snapper (Macolor niger)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/black-snapper)
- [Blue-striped Snapper (Lutjanus kasmira)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/blue-striped-snapper)
- [Bluelined Snapper (Lutjanus coeruleolineatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/bluelined-snapper)
- [Dory Snapper (Lutjanus fulviflamma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/dory-snapper)
- [Ehrenberg's Snapper (Lutjanus ehrenbergii)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/ehrenbergs-snapper)
- [Emperor Snapper (Lutjanus sebae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/emperor-snapper)
- [Fusilier Snapper (Paracaesio sordida)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/fusilier-snapper)
- [Green Jobfish (Aprion virescens)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/green-jobfish)
- [Humpback Snapper (Lutjanus gibbus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/humpback-snapper)
- [Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/mangrove-snapper)
- [Onespot Snapper (Lutjanus monostigma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/onespot-snapper)
- [Smalltooth Jobfish (Aphareus furca)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/smalltooth-jobfish)
- [Speckled Snapper (Lutjanus rivulatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/speckled-snapper)
- [Twinspot Snapper (Lutjanus bohar)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers/twinspot-snapper)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/snappers)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*