Lutjanidae
A family of marine fishes, many economically important as food.
The snappers and fusiliers, known scientifically as Lutjanidae, are a family of percomorph fishes. While most species live in saltwater, some can be found in estuaries, and a few, like *Lutjanus goldiei*, even inhabit freshwater. The family contains roughly 113 species. Many of these are caught for food and hold significant economic value. Across the globe, various species from different genera, including *Lutjanus* and *Pristipomoides*, are locally called "red snapper."
Snappers are found in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate waters of every ocean. Most grow to about one meter (3.3 feet) in length, though the cubera snapper can reach up to 1.52 meters (5 feet). These fish are generally active carnivores, feeding on crustaceans or other fish, but a few species feed on plankton. While they can be kept in aquariums, they usually grow too quickly to be popular choices. The majority live near coral reefs at depths up to 100 meters (330 feet), though some species are found as deep as 500 meters (1,600 feet).
Like other fish, snappers can host parasites. A detailed study in New Caledonia found that coral reef-associated snappers typically host around nine species of parasites per fish species.
**Systematics**
The classification below follows Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes. Known fossil genera include: †*Goujetia* (Early Eocene, Italy), †*Hypsocephalus* (Late Eocene, Florida, USA), †*Lessinia* (Early Eocene, Italy), †*Ottaviania* (Early Eocene, Italy), and †*Veranichthys* (Early Eocene, Italy). A fossil species, †"*Caesio*" *breviuscula* (earliest Eocene, Turkmenistan), is also recognized. The genus †*Parapelates* (2008) is likely closely related to snappers, though its family-level classification remains uncertain. A well-preserved skeleton of a possible lutjanid or cichlid from the Middle Eocene of Cuba represents one of the earliest Caribbean records of the group.
The former family Caesionidae (the fusiliers) was once treated as separate due to its distinct morphology. However, it is now known to be paraphyletic with respect to Lutjanidae, and its genera are now placed within the subfamily Lutjaninae. The following cladogram is based on a 2007 study using Bayesian inference on a combined dataset of 16S and cyt b genes.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanidae
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Snappers inhabit tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of all oceans. Most are active carnivores, feeding on crustaceans or other fishes, though a few are plankton-feeders. They can be kept in aquaria, but commonly grow too fast to be popular aquarium fish. Most species live at depths reaching 100 m (330 ft) near coral reefs, but some species are found up to 500 m (1,600 ft) deep. As with other fishes, some snapper species host parasites. A detailed study conducted in New Caledonia has shown that coral reef-associated snappers host about nine species of parasites per fish species.
The former family Caesionidae, the fusiliers, was previously treated as distinct due to their distinctive morphology. However, it is now known to be paraphyletic with respect to the Lutjanidae, and its genera are now classified within the Lutjaninae. The following fossil genera are also known: genus †Goujetia (Early Eocene of Italy), genus †Hypsocephalus (Late Eocene of Florida, US), genus †Lessinia (Early Eocene of Italy), genus †Ottaviania (Early Eocene of Italy), genus †Veranichthys (Early Eocene of Italy), and species †"Caesio" breviuscula (earliest Eocene of Turkmenistan). The genus †Parapelates is likely also closely related to the snappers, though its taxonomic classification at the family level remains indeterminate. A well-preserved skeleton of a potential fossil lutjanid or cichlid is known from the Middle Eocene of Cuba, representing one of the earliest records of the group from the Caribbean.
Reader's Guide
The family Lutjanidae is notable for its economic importance as food fish, with many species around the world referred to locally as red snapper. The family includes about 113 species, most of which are used for food and many are of high economic value. Snappers are found in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of all oceans, inhabiting depths from near coral reefs up to 500 m. Their size varies, with some growing to about 1 m, and the cubera snapper reaching up to 1.52 m. Most are active carnivores, though a few feed on plankton. While they can be kept in aquaria, they commonly grow too fast to be popular aquarium fish. The family's classification has been revised: the former family Caesionidae (fusiliers) is now known to be paraphyletic with respect to Lutjanidae, and its genera are classified within the Lutjaninae. Fossil evidence includes several genera from the Eocene of Italy, Florida, and Turkmenistan, as well as a potential lutjanid or cichlid skeleton from the Middle Eocene of Cuba. The genus †Parapelates is likely closely related but its family-level classification remains indeterminate.
Did You Know?
- One species, the cubera snapper, grows up to 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) in length.
- The former family Caesionidae (fusiliers) is now classified within the Lutjaninae due to paraphyly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lutjanidae?
Lutjanidae is the collective name for a family of roughly 113 species of percomorph fishes, most of which are saltwater dwellers but a handful—like Lutjanus goldiei—venture into estuaries or even freshwater. They inhabit tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate waters across every ocean.
What are Lutjanidae's powers/role?
These fishes are most commonly encountered in the upper 100 meters (about 330 feet) around coral reefs, though individuals have been recorded as deep as 500 meters. They play a major role in marine food webs and are heavily targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries worldwide.
Why is Lutjanidae important?
Many lutjanid species are prized table fish, giving the family substantial economic significance in coastal communities around the globe. They also serve as key predators in reef ecosystems, helping regulate populations of smaller reef fish and invertebrates.
Why do so many different species get called 'red snapper'?
The common name 'red snapper' is applied locally to numerous unrelated species spanning multiple genera, including Lutjanus and Pristipomoides, which has made the term a frequent source of confusion for anglers and consumers. There is no single species that owns the name.
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