Lutjanus quinquelineatus (Bloch, 1790)
Five-lined snapper
photo by Cook, D.C.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Lutjaninae
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 31 years
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to Fiji, north to southern Japan. This species has been referred to as Lutjanus spilurus.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital width usually less than eye diameter. Preopercular notch and knob well developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Generally bright yellow, including fins, with a series of blue stripes on the side. A round black spot, about the size of the eye or larger, is below the anterior most soft dorsal rays, touching the lateral line but mostly above it (Ref. 469). Body depth 2.3-2.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit sheltered lagoons and exposed, outer slope coral reefs. Frequently encountered in large aggregations including 100 or more individuals at moderate depths, usually in 30-40m, like in some Pacific locations (Ref. 48635). Juveniles solitary and shallow in protected bays with algae and rubble substrates. They feed mainly on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 4533).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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