Lutjanus kasmira

Source: Bernard E. Picton / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Facts

Latin name	Lutjanus kasmira - (Forsskål, 1775)
Local name	Common bluestripe snapper
Family	Lutjanidae - Lutjanus
Origin	East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length	40 cm (15.7")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	2000 l (528 gal)
Hardiness	Hardy
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable with care
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Aggressive towards other species

Feed

Recommended	Fish Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Mostly	Other invertebrates Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)

Beware of

Grows fast

This species grows very quickly if fed well.

Can be a threat to small fish

This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Demand a very large aquarium when fully grown

This species needs a very large aquarium when fully grown.

Exactly how big the aquarium should be is hard to say, but the size of this species is such, that it cannot normally be kept in a home aquarium.

Aggressive

This species can be extremely aggressive towards other fish.

Be careful when keeping these fish together with peaceful or docile species. Regular feeding, plenty of hiding places and a lot of space can alleviate aggressive behavior to some degree.

Keep in mind

Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Thrive best on their own

These fish flourish better without other members of the same species in the aquarium.

Heavy load

This species eats a great deal and demands an aquarium that can tolerate such a heavy load.

Overhangs and caves

This species thrives best in an aquarium with overhangs and caves.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Initially shy

This species can be very shy when first introduced into a new aquarium.

More aggressive fish can be introduced after this species has acclimatized.

Descriptions and further reading

Family description (Lutjanidae)

Snappers (Lutjanidae) are predatory fish, which normally live off fish and a wide range of invertebrates; typically crustaceans, but also snails, sea urchins, worms etc. They will mostly find their food on the bottom, and some species will blow in the sand to find food.

Unlike the other species, species in the Macolor, Pinjalo and Rhomboplites genera live of the larger kinds of zooplankton.

Snappers are generally fairly hardy, but are only suitable for very large aquaria. One should arrange the tank, with a large overhang or hole where they can hide.

FishBase

Aquarium trade	Yes
Distribution	Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesas and Line islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. Southeast Atlantic: East London, South Africa (Ref. 5484).
French common names	Vivaneau à raies bleues Madras Perche à raies bleues
English common names	Common bluestripe snapper Bluestriped snapper Bluelined seaperch Bluelined snapper Blue-lined snapper fish Bluestripe seaperch Bluestripe snapper Blue-lined snapper Blue-striped seaperch Blue-striped snapper
Danish common names	Blåbåndet snapper

References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2004. Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 3) TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Snappers, Family Lutjanidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
WWM Crew. FAQs about Snappers, Family Lutjanidae - Wet Web Media - (English)