Bluestriped snapper
A small snapper with blue stripes and a dark lateral spot.
The bluestriped snapper (Lutjanus notatus) is a marine fish from the snapper family, Lutjanidae, living in the southwestern Indian Ocean. French zoologist Georges Cuvier first described it in 1828, giving the type locality as the Indian Ocean. Its species name, *notatus*, means "marked," referring to a dark spot often visible below the dorsal fin.
This fish has a fairly deep body, with a standard length about 2.5 to 2.7 times its deepest point. Its forehead slopes steeply, and it has a well-developed notch and knob on the preopercle. The vomerine teeth form a crescent-shaped patch without a rear extension, and the tongue lacks teeth. The dorsal fin has 11–12 spines and 12–13 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays; both fins are rounded at the rear. Pectoral fins have 15–16 rays, and the tail fin is either straight or slightly indented. The fish reaches a maximum total length of 25 cm (9.8 in), though 20 cm (7.9 in) is more typical. The head and upper back are brownish, the sides are yellow, and the belly is pale yellowish white. Six thin blue horizontal stripes run along the flanks, with the top three sloping upward toward the dorsal fin base. A dark spot, about the size of a pupil, often appears on the lateral line below the front of the dorsal fin’s soft-rayed section. Most fins are yellow.
The bluestriped snapper occurs in the southwestern Indian Ocean, recorded from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, and India. Adults inhabit coral reefs at depths of 10 to 50 m (33 to 164 ft). Usually solitary, it sometimes forms small schools of 5–10 individuals. It preys on other fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Artisanal fisheries catch it wherever it is found, using handlines, traps, and gill nets, though only small amounts appear in local markets.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus notatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The bluestriped snapper was first formally described in 1828 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier, with the type locality given as the Indian Ocean. Its specific name, notatus, means 'marked', a reference to the black spot often visible below the dorsal fin. The species has a relatively deep body, a steeply sloped forehead, and a well-developed preopercular incision and knob. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a crescent-shaped patch with no central rearwards extension, and there are no teeth on the tongue. The dorsal fin has 11-12 spines and 12-13 soft rays, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays. The rear of the dorsal and anal fins are rounded, and the caudal fin is truncate or weakly emarginate. The head and upper back are brownish, the flanks are yellow, and the abdomen is pale yellowish white. Six thin blue horizontal stripes run along the flanks, with the highest three sloping upward toward the dorsal fin base. A dark spot, similar in size to the pupil, is frequently present on the lateral line below the front of the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin. The fins are mostly yellow.
Reader's Guide
The bluestriped snapper is a modestly sized snapper found in the southwestern Indian Ocean, recorded from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, and India. Adults inhabit coral reefs at depths between 10 and 50 meters. The species is normally solitary but has been known to form small schools of 5 to 10 individuals. It is a predatory fish that feeds on other fishes and benthic invertebrates. Artisanal fisheries target the bluestriped snapper wherever it occurs, using handlines, traps, and gill nets, though only small quantities appear in local markets. Its distinctive blue stripes and dark lateral spot make it recognizable among snappers, and its relatively small size—reaching a maximum total length of 25 cm—distinguishes it from larger snapper species. The species' description by Georges Cuvier in 1828 and its specific name referencing the black spot highlight its early scientific recognition. Despite limited commercial importance, it contributes to local subsistence and artisanal fishing economies within its range.
Did You Know?
- Its specific name notatus means 'marked', referring to the black spot below the dorsal fin.
- It has 6 thin blue horizontal stripes on its flanks, with the highest three sloping upward toward the dorsal fin base.
- The species is normally solitary but can form small schools of 5 to 10 individuals.
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