Blue-striped Snapper

The common bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), also known as the bluestripe snapper or bluebanded snapper, is a species of snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the 🌊 Indian Ocean from the coast of Africa and the 🌊 Red Sea to the central 🌊 Pacific Ocean. This fish is both commercially important and sought after as a game fish, and is also commonly found in the aquarium trade.

The common bluestripe snapper was first described in 1775 by the Finnish-born Swedish-speaking explorer and naturalist Peter Forsskål, though prior to that it was referred to as Sciaena kasmira. The specific name kasmira is the Arabic word used for this fish in the 🌊 Red Sea.

This snapper has a moderately deep body profile, with a steeply sloped dorsal profile of the head that features a well-developed preopercular notch and knob. Notable physical characteristics include the number of gill rakers, with 13 or 14 found on the lower limb of the first arch and a total of 20 to 22 on the first arch. The dorsal fin has 10 spines anterior to 14 or 15 soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and seven or eight soft rays. The pectoral fins have 15 or 16 rays, and the caudal fin is slightly emarginate. The back scales rise obliquely above the lateral line, which contains 48 to 51 scales. While this species can reach a length of 40 cm (16 in), most individuals do not exceed 25 cm (9.8 in). The coloration of the fish is a distinguishing feature, with bright yellow on the back and sides, fading to white on the lower sides and underside of the head. Four bright-blue stripes run longitudinally on the side of the fish, accompanied by several faint greyish stripes on the lowermost part of the sides. Most fins are yellow in color.

The bluestripe snapper is one of the most widespread species of the Lutjanidae, found in areas ranging from the coast of 🇪🇬 Egypt on the 🌊 Red Sea to 🇲🇬 Madagascar, 🇮🇳 India, 🇨🇳 China, Southeast Asia, 🇦🇺 Australia, and various Pacific islands. It primarily inhabits coral reefs, both in shallow lagoons and on outer reef slopes, at depths of up to 60 m (200 ft). In certain regions, such as the Marquesas Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia) and the 🌊 Red Sea, it has been documented at even greater depths, reaching 180 m (590 ft) and 265 m (869 ft), respectively. In Hawaii (🇺🇸 United States), the species can also be found over seagrasses and sandy substrates. During daylight hours, these snappers often congregate in large groups around coral formations, caves, or wrecks. The preferred habitat of the species changes with age, as young fish are often found schooling on sandy substrates, while larger individuals tend to be more solitary and inhabit deeper reefs.

One interesting aspect of the bluestripe snapper's behavior is its relationship with the goatfish, Mulloidichthys mimicus. The goatfish closely mimics the coloration of the snapper, and they can often be seen schooling together. This behavior is thought to provide predatory protection, as the goatfish are more preferred prey than the bluestripe snapper.

The bluestripe snapper has a varied diet that includes fish, shrimp, crabs, stomatopods, cephalopods, planktonic crustaceans, and plant and algal materials. The specific diet of an individual can vary based on age, location, and the availability of prey items in the local environment.

Sexual maturity for the bluestripe snapper is typically reached when individuals reach a length of 20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in). Spawning occurs throughout most of the year in lower latitudes, with peak activity observed in November and December in the Andaman Sea. The eggs of this species measure between 0.78 to 0.85 mm (0.031 to 0.033 in) in diameter and hatch when water temperatures reach 22 to 25 °C (72 to 77 °F).

The bluestripe snapper is commonly caught using handlines, traps, and gill nets throughout its range. It is typically sold fresh and is a popular fish in markets across many countries. In Hawaii (🇺🇸 United States), it is one of the main species targeted in the handline fishery, although it tends to command lower prices in the market compared to other species.