Common name: emperor snapper

Synonyms and Other Names: red emperor, red emperor snapper

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Lutjanus sebae is a deep bodied species with a steep and straight head profile (Randall 2005). Juveniles are white with a broad black bar across the body from the dorsal (back) to the pelvic (chest) fins, an oblique black band on the head that encloses the eye, and another broad black band from below the dorsal (back) fin to the lower edge of the caudal (tail) fin (Randall 2005). In adults the body is generally pale. The bands from the juvenile pattern become narrower and change from black to red in adulthood (Randall et al. 1996).

Size: common to 60 cm total length; maximum to 100 cm (Allen 1985)

Native Range: Indo-West Pacific from South Africa and the Red Sea to Indonesia, southeastern Australia, the Philippines and southern Japan (Mundy 2005).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: This species inhabits shallow coral reefs and adjacent sand flats to 100 m deep (Randall et al. 1996). The juveniles may be found in estuaries or taking refuge in the spines of sea urchins (Randall 2005). Diet includes fish, crabs, mantis shrimp, and mollusks (Senta and Peng 1977). Spawning can occur year-round during both the new and full moon cycles (Imanto et al. 2006). During spawning the female swims quickly to the surface in a spiral pattern followed by the male, where she releases her eggs and the male fertilizes them (Imanto et al. 2006). The eggs hatch 22-24 hrs after fertilization (Imanto et al. 2006).

Means of Introduction: Although it is possible the Hawaiian specimen was a waif from Japan, it is more likely that it was an aquarium release.  The Iowa specimen is surely an aquarium release.

Status: Collected in Hawaii and Iowa.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Species of Lutjanus have the potential to cause ciguatera poisoning, a foodborne illness caused by accumulation of the toxin ciguatoxin in the tissues of tropical reef fishe (Rongo et al. 2009).

References: (click for full references)

Allen, G.R. 1985. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(6):208 p. Rome: FAO.

Imanto, P.T., Melianawati, R., and M. Suastika. 2006. Spawning performance and embryonic development of red emperor snapper (Lutjanus sebae). Indonesian Aquaculture Journal 1:39-44.

Mundy, B. C. 2005. Checklist of the Fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bishop Museum Bulletins in Zoology, No. 6

Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific: New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, USA.

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen, and R.C. Steene. 1996. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, USA.

Rongo, T., M. Bush, and R. van Woesik. 2009. Did ciguatera prompt the late Holocene Polynesian voyages of discovery? Journal of Biogeography 36:1423-1432.

Senta, T. and C. Peng. 1977. Studies on the feeding habits of red snappers, Lutjanus sanguineus and L. sebae. Proceedings of the technical seminar on South China Sea fisheries resources, Bangkok, Thailand, 21-25 May 1973.

Other Resources:

Author: M.E. Brown and Schofield, P.J.

Peer Review Date: 3/3/2006

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.