Twinspot Snapper

Lutjanus bohar, commonly known as the two-spot red snapper, red bass, twinspot snapper, or bohar snapper, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the snapper family, Lutjanidae. It is important to differentiate it from the 🇦🇺 Australian snapper, with which it is not related. This species has an extensive distribution across the Indo-Pacific region.

The two-spot red snapper was initially described as Sciaena bohar in 1775, with no specified type locality, although indications suggest the 🌊 Red Sea as the origin. The specific epithet "bohar" is derived from the Arabic term for this fish in the 🌊 Red Sea.

Occupying coral reef habitats, this species can be found at depths ranging from 4 to 180 meters (13 to 591 feet), though it is predominantly observed between 10 and 70 meters (33 and 230 feet).

The species can attain lengths of up to 90 centimeters (35 inches), though typically does not exceed 76 centimeters (30 inches). The heaviest recorded specimen weighed 12.5 kilograms (28 pounds). These tropical snappers are characterized by their reddish coloration, darker fins, a rounded head profile, and a groove extending from the nostrils to the eyes. Anatomically, they possess 10 dorsal spines and 3 anal spines. Juveniles and some adults exhibit two distinctive silvery-white spots near the dorsal fins, which are the basis for the common name. As they mature, the larger adults lose these markings and predominantly display a red hue. Notably, large adults may be associated with Ciguatera fish poisoning.

Lutjanus bohar is a long-lived and slow-growing species, reaching maturity between the ages of 8 and 9 years, with the oldest recorded individual being 56 years old. This species is carnivorous, primarily preying upon other fish, crustaceans, and molluscs.

Adults frequently congregate in large schools over outer reef slopes or sandy substrates, primarily for spawning purposes. The juveniles, which are small and brownish, often mimic damselfishes of the genus Chromis to effectively approach their prey.

This species is indigenous to the 🌊 Indian Ocean and is extensively found across the Indo-Pacific, from the east African coast and the 🌊 Red Sea to the western 🌊 Pacific Ocean, extending north to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan) and southward to 🇦🇺 Australia.

Lutjanus bohar holds commercial significance and is also a prized target for recreational fishing.