Bigeye Snapper
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- Name / Latin
- Bigeye Snapper — Lutjanus lutjanus
- Brief description
- A snapper reaching up to 35 cm in length with large eyes, silvery-yellow coloration, yellow fins, and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Forms large schools near coral reefs.
- Size:
- up to 35 cm
- Depth:
- 1–100 m
- Habitat:
- Indo-Pacific region, Red Sea, East Africa, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia
- Family:
- Lutjanidae
- Type:
- Fish
- Activity:
- Crepuscular-nocturnal
- Conservation status:
- Least Concern (LC) — not threatened with extinction according to IUCN assessment
The bigeye snapper (Lutjanus lutjanus) is a medium-sized fish that typically reaches up to 35 cm in length. It has a robust, elongated body with a slightly compressed shape. The fish is distinguished by its large eyes, adapted for vision in low-light conditions. The coloration is usually silvery or pale yellow with a noticeable dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. The fins are yellowish, and the dorsal fin has a slightly dark edge.
It inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa to the central Pacific Ocean. It lives on coral reefs, lagoons, and outer reef slopes, typically at depths from 10 to 100 meters. These fish often form large schools.
The bigeye snapper reproduces through external fertilization. During spawning, which often occurs in large aggregations, females release eggs into the water column, and males simultaneously release sperm to fertilize them. The eggs are pelagic, floating in open water until hatching. The larvae then drift with plankton before settling and transforming into juveniles.
It feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans. They often hunt in groups, using their large eyes to detect prey in low-light conditions. They also consume various invertebrates.
