Lutjanus quinquelineatus (Five‑lined Snapper)

Details

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).