Ocyurus chrysurus (Yellowtail snapper)

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Facts

Latin name	Ocyurus chrysurus
Local name	Yellowtail snapper
Family	Lutjanidae - Ocyurus
Origin	The Mexican Golf, West Atlantic
Max length	86 cm (33.9")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	5000 l (1319 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable with care
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Unknown

Feed

Recommended	Fish Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)

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.

Insufficient information

There is little available knowledge of this species, so there can be important information missing on this page.

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.

Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Heavy load

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

Frequent feeding

This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.

When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding.

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.

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.

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)