Twospot banded snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Lutjanus.

Accepted name: Lutjanus biguttatus · Authority: (Valenciennes, 1830) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 276525.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lutianus biguttatus (Valenciennes, 1830); Lutjanus bigguttatus (Valenciennes, 1830); Mesoprion bleekeri Günther, 1859; Mesoprion elongatus Hombron & Jacquinot, 1853; Serranus biguttatus Valenciennes, 1830.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276525 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Lutjanus biguttatus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 25 cm · Common length: 15 cm · Depth range: 3–36 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 15 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coral reefs (Ref. 9710, 48635) and outer reef slopes (Ref. 37816, 48635). They sometimes form large schools of more than 100 individuals.

Often solitary (Ref. 48635). Feed mainly on small fishes and crustaceans. Generally uncommon (Ref. 9710).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 1410) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-biguttatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

914 georeferenced occurrence records for Lutjanus biguttatus are published through GBIF from 20 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 160 distinct locations from a sample of 914 records, omitting 30 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: Indonesia (178); Philippines (152); Solomon Islands (127); Thailand (97); Fiji (70); Malaysia (59); Australia (51); Palau (51); Papua New Guinea (45); Maldives (29); Wallis and Futuna (14); Sri Lanka (11); Tonga (8); India (7); Samoa (5).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2384905) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2384905&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276525 (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 Lutjanus biguttatus (Valenciennes, 1830) as Least Concern (code LC). 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 194393) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194393/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2384905) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2384905/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Lutjanus biguttatus was first formally described as Serranus biguttatus in 1830 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes with the type locality given as Trincomalee in Sri Lanka and Ambon Island in Indonesia. The specific name biguttatus means "two spotted" a reference to the two spots on the back underneath the dorsal fin.

Description

Lutjanus biguttatus has a very slender, fusiform body with a snout which has a low, gently sloping profile. The preoperculum's knob and incision are weak. In the mouth the vomerine teeth are arranged in a triangular patch, with a posterior extension, or in a rhombus shape and there are no teeth on the tongue. The caudal fin is truncate.

The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 12 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. This species has a greyish back, a wide horizontal white stripe running from the mouth to the caudal peduncle bordered on both sides by two reddish-brown stripes.

There are two white spots on the back underneath the base of the dorsal fin. The juveniles are largely white with a grey back, a dark brown longitudinal stripe along the lateral line and two indistinct white spots on the back. The maximum standard length recorded for this species is 25 cm although 15 cm is more typical.

Distribution and habitat

Lutjanus biguttatus is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is distributed from the Maldives and Sri Lanka through the Andaman Sea and the Malay Archipelago east as far as the Solomon Islands, north as far as the Philippines and south to Australia, although there are records from farther east in Samoa, Fiji and the Caroline Islands. In Australia it has been recorded in Western Australia from Hibernia Reef to the Scott Reef, the Ashmore Reef in the Coral Sea and off the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland. It is found at depths between 3 and 30 m on coral reefs.

Biology

Lutjanus biguttatum is an uncommon species but will gather in aggregations of over 100 individuals, although they are frequently encountered as solitary fish. It is a predatory species which feeds largely on smaller fishes and crustaceans.

Fisheries

Lutjanus biguttatus is an important food fish in some areas, such as Sri Lanka, although it is uncommon in fish markers where it is sold fresh. It is caught using traps, hand lines and gill nets.

Source: Wikipedia: Lutjanus biguttatus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutjanus_biguttatus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.