Lutjanus quinquelineatus—the five‑lined snapper—is a common Indo‑Pacific reef snapper of the familyLutjanidae. It bears five parallel longitudinal stripes along the flanks, forms conspicuous daytime schoolsat cave mouths/reef slopes, and disperses at dusk to feed on crustaceans and small fishes.
Ecology & Biology
Diet: small fishes, shrimps/crabs, amphipods and polychaetes—predominantly carnivorous in adults.
Behaviour: schooling by day, nocturnal foraging after dusk.
Reproduction: pelagic broadcast spawner; pelagic eggs/larvae, with juveniles using lagoons, seagrass or shallow reef flats.
Identification
Pattern: exactly five clean stripes (key vs. L. kasmira with typically four bluish stripes).
Form: moderately deep, laterally compressed; continuous dorsal fin (spiny + soft); deeply forked caudal fin.
Head: fine speckles/short oblique marks sometimes visible dorsally; large eye; terminal mouth.
Size & Longevity
Length: typically 20–30 cm, maximum about ~38–40 cm.
Life: around 10–15 years depending on population.
Range & Habitat
Tropical Indo‑West Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, among others. Occurs on reef slopes, crests, outer walls and lagoons from roughly 3–60 m.
Conservation & People
Fisheries: regional food and sport fish; note ciguatera risk in some reef areas.
Status: populations are generally stable but affected by habitat degradation and overfishing; MPAs benefit schools.
IUCN: Least Concern (LC) (subject to latest assessment).
