The sailfin snapper is named for its long, threadlike dorsal fins.
  • Size

    19.7 inches (50 cm)
  • Diet

    Small fishes, bottom-dwelling crustaceans and mollusks
  • Range

    Indo-Pacific
  • Habitat

    Sandy areas near coral reefs

Physical Characteristics

  • Deep body with long dorsal and anal fins.
  • Coloration is yellow with blue stripes along the sides, a large, dark spot on the base of the tail and two orange bars running vertically over the eyes and behind the head.
  • Juvenile is grey to silver in color with a wide black stripe running down the side of the body from head to the tail base and yellow dorsal and anal fins.
  • Common length of 19.7 inches (50.0 cm). Maximum length of 23.6 inches (60.0 cm).

 

Diet / Feeding

  • Diet consists of small fishes, bottom-dwelling crustaceans and mollusks.

Range / Habitat

  • Occurs in tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands to New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef and to Rowley Shoals and Western Australia.
  • Found in sandy areas near coral reefs at depths of 16-197 feet (5-60 m).

Reproduction & Growth

  • Oviparous- egg-laying species.
  • Aggregates to spawn along seaward reefs, but are usually seen singly.

Additional Information

  • Also known as the “spot tail threadfin snapper.”

Sources