The black snapper, Macolor niger, is a snapper of the family Lutjanidae found across the Indo Pacific oceans. It is also commonly known as the black and whitesnapper, but should not be confused by other snappers with the same common name.
The black snapper can reach a maximum length of 75cm. Its fins and eyes are black and its body vary in color from light grey to black depending on the age. Juveniles are lighter in color and adults can be almost completely black.
The black snapper is solitary when juvenile but form large schools as adults.
It feeds on crustaceans and small fishes and inhabits reef walls and outer lagoons.
It is sometimes confused with the midnight snapper, Macolor macularis.
Black snapper are a prized food fish and are caught commercially, as well as recreationally.
Black and white snapper
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Lutjanidae
Genus:
Macolor
Species:
M. niger
Binomial name
Macolor niger
References
- "Macolor niger". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
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