Lutjanus lemniscatus
A snapper with a ribbon-like juvenile pattern and deep-water red adults.
The yellowstreaked snapper, also called the darktail snapper, darktail seaperch, or maroon sea-perch, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the snapper family Lutjanidae. It lives in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
French zoologist Achille Valenciennes first described this species in 1828, naming it *Serranus lemniscatus* based on a specimen from Sri Lanka. The species name *lemniscatus* means "decorated with ribbons," referring to the horizontal banded pattern seen in young fish.
This snapper has a moderately deep body, with its standard length measuring 2.5 to 2.8 times its deepest point. Its forehead slopes steeply, and the snout profile is slightly concave. The preoperculum has a weakly developed knob and notch. Vomerine teeth form a crescent shape without extending backward, and the tongue bears a patch of granular teeth. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13–14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Both the dorsal and anal fins are rounded at the rear. Pectoral fins have 16 rays, and the caudal fin is either truncate or weakly emarginate. The fish can reach a maximum total length of 60 cm (24 in), though 35 cm (14 in) is more typical. Adults vary in color—greyish, pinkish-brown, olive-green, or silvery—with sooty brown to blackish dorsal and caudal fins that often have a thin white margin. Juveniles are light grey with a wide black stripe down the middle of the body, bordered by two thin white stripes running from the snout tip to the base of the tail. Adults living in deeper water frequently appear reddish.
The species ranges across the Indo-West Pacific, from southern India and Sri Lanka east to Papua New Guinea. Confirmed records exist from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia; reports from Pakistan and Mozambique need verification. In Australia, its range extends from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Cooktown in Queensland, possibly reaching as far south as Noosa on the east coast. It lives at depths from 0 to 110 m (0 to 361 ft). Adults inhabit offshore reefs and muddy areas, while juveniles occasionally appear near coral reefs close to shore, often in places with moderate silt and poor visibility. Adults typically stay in very deep water.
These snappers are found alone or in small groups. They are predators, feeding on fish and benthic invertebrates.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus lemniscatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lutjanus lemniscatus was first formally described in 1828 by French zoologist Achille Valenciennes, who named it Serranus lemniscatus. The specific name lemniscatus means 'decorated with ribbons,' a reference to the horizontal banded pattern of juveniles. The type locality is Sri Lanka.
The species has a moderately deep body, with a standard length 2.5 to 2.8 times its depth. Its forehead is steeply sloped, the snout slightly concave, and the preoperculum has weakly developed knob and notch. Vomerine teeth form a crescent shape without rearward extension, and the tongue bears a patch of granular teeth. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13–14 soft rays, the anal fin 3 spines and 8 soft rays; the caudal fin is truncate or weakly emarginate. Adults typically reach 35 cm, with a maximum of 60 cm. Coloration varies from greyish or pinkish-brown to olive-green or silvery, with sooty brown to blackish dorsal and caudal fins often edged in white. Juveniles are light grey with a wide black mid-lateral stripe bordered by two thin white stripes from snout to caudal fin base. Deeper-water adults are frequently reddish.
Reader's Guide
Lutjanus lemniscatus is a predatory species that feeds on fishes and benthic invertebrates, found singly or in small groups. Its distribution spans the Indo-West Pacific from southern India and Sri Lanka east to Papua New Guinea, with confirmed records from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia; reports from Pakistan and Mozambique require confirmation. In Australia, it ranges from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Cooktown in Queensland, possibly reaching as far south as Noosa. Adults inhabit offshore reefs and muddy habitats at depths up to 110 m, typically in very deep water, while juveniles occasionally occur near shore on coral reefs with moderate silting and poor visibility. The species is caught using handlines, traps, and sometimes bottom trawls. It is targeted by artisanal fisheries in India's Gulf of Mannar and taken in general snapper fisheries in Indonesia, though separate catch data are not collected. Its significance lies in its role as a food fish in regional fisheries, particularly in the Indian Ocean, and its distinctive juvenile coloration that gives it its scientific name.
Did You Know?
- Adults living in deeper waters are frequently reddish in color.
- The species was first described in 1828 by Achille Valenciennes from a specimen collected in Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lutjanus lemniscatus?
It's a medium-sized member of the snapper family Lutjanidae, widely known as the yellowstreaked or darktail snapper. You'll find it swimming across the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, where it can reach a total length of roughly 60 cm.
What's Lutjanus lemniscatus's signature look?
Juveniles sport a bold horizontal banded pattern that inspired the species name, which translates to something like 'decorated with ribbons.' As the fish mature and move into deeper water, that ribboned pattern fades into a richer, darker red coloration.
Where does Lutjanus lemniscatus hang out?
This snapper is a true depth generalist, ranging from the surface all the way down to about 110 meters. Its moderately deep body, with a standard length roughly 2.5 to 2.8 times its depth, is well suited to that varied vertical habitat.
Who named Lutjanus lemniscatus and when?
French naturalist Achille Valenciennes formally described the species in 1828, originally placing it under the genus Serranus. The type specimen he examined was collected off Sri Lanka, a locality that still anchors the species' taxonomic record.
Why do fans care about Lutjanus lemniscatus?
Its dramatic shift from a banded, ribbon-patterned juvenile to a deep-red adult makes it one of the more visually striking snappers in the family. It's a great example of how a single species can look like two entirely different fish depending on age and depth, which keeps enthusiasts coming back to study it.
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