Japanese snapper (Paracaesio caerulea)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
Last updated
Distribution map plotted from GBIF.org occurrence records; basemap Natural Earth 110m · GBIF records CC0 / CC BY; Natural Earth public domain
The Japanese snapper (Paracaesio caerulea) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the Western Pacific Ocean.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderAcanthuriformes
- FamilyLutjanidae
- GenusParacaesio
- SpeciesParacaesio caerulea
Named by (Katayama, 1934)
Close relatives
Other species of Paracaesio with a Codexery entry.
- Yellowtail blue snapper Paracaesio xanthurus
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Japanese snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 278684 (CC BY 4.0)
Conservation status
Data Deficient (DD)
Data Deficient: there is not enough information to place this species on the risk scale.
Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.5 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Japanese snapper
Where the japanese snapper (paracaesio caerulea) has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (60 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 4 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Paracaesio.
Accepted name: Paracaesio caerulea · Authority: (Katayama, 1934) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278684.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Paracaesio caeruleus (Katayama, 1934); Vegetichthys caeruleus Katayama, 1934.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278684 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Paracaesio caerulea. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 50 cm · Common length: 30 cm · Depth range: 100–355 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 40 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
FishBase notes: Adults occur over rocky bottoms at depths exceeding 100 m. An important foodfish. Marketed fresh.
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 189) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Paracaesio-caerulea.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
60 georeferenced occurrence records for Paracaesio caerulea are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 21 distinct locations from a sample of 60 records, omitting 4 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Japan (26); Chinese Taipei (25); Indonesia (3); China (2); New Caledonia (2); Papua New Guinea (1); Philippines (1).
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2384708) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2384708&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278684 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Paracaesio caerulea (Katayama, 1934) as Data Deficient (code DD). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 154612) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/154612/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2384708) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2384708/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
The Japanese snapper was first formally described as Vegetichthys caeruleus in 1934 by the Japanese zoologist Masao Katayama with the type locality given as Tokyo Fish Market, the type possibly being caught in the vicinity of Hachijō-jima in the Izu Islands. The specific name caerulea means "blue", a reference to the dominant colour of this fish.
Description
The Japanese snapper has a relatively slender, fusiform body. It has large eyes, the area between the eyes is convex. The jaws are equal in length and are equipped with bands of bristle-like teeth and it has a short snout. The pectoral fins are long, extending as far as the anus.
The caudal fin may be slightly forked or lunate. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 10 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays, both of these fins lacking scales. The upper body and flanks are blue fading to whitish or silvery on the abdomen while the dorsal and caudal fins are light yellow and the remaining fins may be whitish or translucent. This species attains a maximum total length of 50 cm, although 30 cm is more typical.
Distribution and habitat
The Japanese snapper occurs in the western Pacific Ocean where it is found off southern Japan, Taiwan and the Chesterfield Islands of New Caledonia. It is found over rocky substrates at depths in excess of 100 m.
Breeding
The spawning season in waters off Japan is thought to be April to September.
Uses
The Japanese snapper is regarded as an important food fish, which is frequently available in fish markets. Fishermen catch it using handlines and bottom longlines, and it is sold fresh. The Japanese name for this species is aodai and the flesh is used in sushi and sashimi, as well as being sautéed, broiled, deep fried or prepared in a soup with miso.
Source: Wikipedia: Japanese snapper — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Japanese snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List assessment.
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: FishBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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