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Snapper
Group

Snapper

Lutjanidae, Gill, 1861

marinebrackishfreshwater
Where to see it

About Snapper

Lutjanidae, the snappers and fusiliers, are a family of percomorph fishes, mainly marine but with some members inhabiting estuaries and, in some cases, fresh water (e.g., Lutjanus goldiei). The family includes about 113 species. Most species are used for food and many are of high economic importance. Many species around the world are known in local languages as red snapper, including species from different genera (including Lutjanus and Pristipomoides)

Snappers inhabit tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of all oceans. Some snappers grow up to about 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, and one species, the cubera snapper, grows up to 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) in length. 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.

Species in this group

Where to see it

Top-rated dive sites where divers have spotted Snapper.

Weber’s Joy (17)

Weber’s Joy (17)

⭐ 3.0 (1)
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba, Kralendijk Bonaire National Marine Park
Vibrant Bonairean reef with diverse marine life and easy shore access.
👣 Shore All levels
Aravind Wall

Aravind Wall

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Extensive rock wall with diverse corals and fish for advanced divers.
🚤 Boat Advanced
Knife Rock

Knife Rock

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Sri Lanka, Trincomalee Pigeon Island Marine Park
Shallow dive with diverse landscapes, reef life, and history.
🚤 Boat beginner
The Gorgonias

The Gorgonias

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Italy, Sardinia, Alghero Area naturale marina protetta Capo Caccia - Isola Piana
Deep wall dive with currents, famous for purple gorgonias.
🚤 Boat advanced
Toti Thila

Toti Thila

⭐ 5.0 Scout Score
Maldivian thila with black corals, interesting topography, and pelagic encounters.
🚤 Boat Intermediate
Marsa Mourain

Marsa Mourain

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Marsa Mourain: Colorful reefs, diverse marine life.
👣 Shore Beginner
Nakatcha Thila

Nakatcha Thila

⭐ 5.0 Scout Score
Maldivian reef with magnificent overhangs, caves, and diverse marine life.
🚤 Boat Intermediate
Mahurangi Island

Mahurangi Island

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
New Zealand, Coromandel Peninsula Te-Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Protected marine reserve dive with abundant fish and rays.
🚤 Boat beginner
Anchor

Anchor

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Mozambique, Ponta Do Ouro Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve
Beautiful coral reef with an anchor and diverse marine life.
🚤 Boat intermediate
La Dania's Leap

La Dania's Leap

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba Bonaire National Marine Park
La Dania's Leap is an exhilarating drift dive for experienced divers, exploring a stunning wall reef from La Dania's to Karpata with abundant marine life and potential shark sightings.
👣 Shore advanced
Conception South

Conception South

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Granite boulders and coral create a rich, varied landscape.
🚤 Boat intermediate
Ao Kluai

Ao Kluai

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Thailand, Koh Chang Mu Ko Rang National Park
Vibrant shallow reef with boulders, abundant fish, and seahorses.
🚤 Boat all levels
Bomb Rock East

Bomb Rock East

⭐ 5.0 Scout Score
India, Murudeshwar Netrani Island Marine Sanctuary
Vibrant fish schools and dramatic drops at a former target rock.
🚤 Boat Intermediate
Kuroshima North Twin Rock

Kuroshima North Twin Rock

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Vibrant corals, large pelagics, and rich macro life for all levels.
🚤 Boat All levels
Secca Carega (Secca Gonzatti)

Secca Carega (Secca Gonzatti)

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Rich shoal with abundant fish life near Portofino
🚤 Boat Beginner
Franata

Franata

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Steep rock slope, diverse marine life in Italy
🚤 Boat Intermediate
Grouper Farm

Grouper Farm

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Malaysia, Pulau Payar Pulau Payar Marine Park
Hard coral site with giant groupers, ideal for all.
🚤 Boat all levels
MADUVVARI DHEKUNU KANN

MADUVVARI DHEKUNU KANN

⭐ 5.0 Scout Score
Advanced channel dive with strong currents and abundant pelagic life.
🚤 Boat Advanced
Biotops

Biotops

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Mediterranean reef dive with diverse marine life
🚤 Boat Intermediate
Dromia E Portone

Dromia E Portone

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Italy, Sardinia Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area
Caves, passages, and marine life with Byzantine anchors.
🚤 Boat All levels