Choosing a Snapper

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

See Larger Image

Snappers are a large group of predatory fish in the Lutjanidae family found around coral reefs and tropical seas. Some can reach sizes of more than 3 feet in length. In nature, they feed on small animals such as smaller fish and invertebrates like shrimpJumboKrill Freeze Dried Jumbo Shrimp
These whole, freeze-dried shrimp are an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamin E and roughage for all large, carnivorous tropical and marine fish. .... They usually hunt at night, although species such as the yellowtail snapper, common in the Caribbean, roam the reef during the day as well.

Like grouper, snappers are generally not the easiest fish to keep because of their odd habits and incompatibility with – or appetite for – other fish. Many species can adapt well as juveniles but they grow quickly and need lots of space. They are generally schooling fish and can be kept only in large tanks with fish that are the same size or bigger since anything smaller will eventually become dinner.

Varieties of Snapper

Only a few of these species are suitable for a home aquarium.

Emperor. Lutjanus sebae are the most popular and, as many maintain, the most beautiful of all the snappers. Their base color is a rust to orange-red with three very thick white vertical bands that appear to swoop down and out from the dorsal fin. The emperor is native to the Indo-Pacific region and requires a diet of meaty foods, such as liveJumboKrill Freeze Dried Jumbo Shrimp
These whole, freeze-dried shrimp are an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamin E and roughage for all large, carnivorous tropical and marine fish. ... brine shrimp or chopped up fish or beef heart. They will also eat flakesFormula One Flakes
Ocean Nutrition Formula One Flakes; Extra Algae with fresh seafood's make this a gourmet natural food for herbivorous marine and freshwater fishes... and vegetable matter and just about anything else that fits into their mouths. The fish can grow to more than 3 feet in length in its natural environment, but they are usually not aggressive unless they feel cramped. On a good diet, they will quickly outgrow most tanks, so be sure you know what you are getting into if you choose this fish.

Threadfin. Symphorichthys spilurus is endemic to waters around the Philippines. These are typically solitary and found rummaging around reefs in search of small invertebrates and fish. Like the blue-lined snapper, they, too, are a golden yellow with thin blue horizontal stripes, but they also have two vertical dark reddish and orange bands in the head region and a dark spot with an outline of blue near the base of the tail. Their shape is less streamlined and more "disk-like" from the side with a steep slope rising to the forehead. Their most notable feature, however, is the long trailing filaments on the dorsal fin. They require meat and, like other snappers, a nearly constant supply of food.

 

Printable Version

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

Share this Article with a Friend Email To:

 

Have a Pet Question?

Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
and His Staff of Veterinarians

Dr. Jon's Newsletter

Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...

 

 

Related Articles

Search Over 15,000 articles

• 1 The External Anatomy of a Fish

  If you’re someone who’s going to care for your own fish instead of having a service maintain your tank, you need to know a little bit about fish anatomy. Here are some of the basic — and not so basic —...

  Read More
• 2 How to Raise Brine Shrimp

  Fish owners rarely think about raising food for their pets, but it is quite possible to do; brine shrimp are a popular species to culture at home because it is relatively easy to keep them – especially...

  Read More
• 3 Why Fish Swim in Schools

  Around the reefs thousands of schooling silversides dart back and forth, all in unison, seemingly to some internal melody that only the fish can hear. It’s one of nature’s most beautiful ballets. And you...

  Read More
• 4 Aggression in Your Aquarium

  Intraspecific (between members of the same species) and interspecific (between members of different species) aggression is common when it comes to keeping pet fish in your aquarium or pond. You can solve...

  Read More

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Dogs & Puppies

Dog Breeds

labrador retriever, golden retriever, yorkshire terriers, german shepherds, beagle, boxers

Dog Medication

dog allergy medication, dog pain medication, dog anxiety medication, dog flea medication

Dog Products

dog bowls, dog crates, dog toys, dog beds, dog ramps, dog food storage, dog tags

Dog Symptoms

dog vomiting, dog limping, dog diarrhea, dog bad breath, dog coughing, dog seizures

Dog Health

dog cancer, dog diabetes, dog epilepsy, dog hip dysplasia, dog health, sick dog

Dog Care

dog vaccination, dog microchipping, dog grooming, dog neutering, dog spaying, dogs mating

Dog Training

dog aggression, dog barking, dog chewing, dog behavior, dog jumping, dog whisperer

Dog Pictures

puppy pictures, funny dogs, cute dogs, dog breeds, sleeping dogs, silly dogs, small dogs

Cats

Cat Breeds

persian, siamese cats, devon rex, ragdoll cats, sphynx, maine coon cat

Cat Medication

cat flea medication, cat heartworm control, cat tick medications

Cat Products

cat litter box, cat food, cat bed, cat flea collar, cat carrier, cat urine odor

Cat Symptoms

cat vomiting, cat limping, cat diarrhea, cat bad breath, cat coughing

Cat Health

cat health, cat liver cancer, cat diabetes, cat scratch fever, cat aids, sick cat

Cat Care

cat vaccination, cat grooming, cat microchipping, cat neutering, cat spaying

Cat Behavior

cat urine marking, cat furniture scratching, cat litterbox training, cat toilet training, cat fears

Cat Pictures

cute cats, funny cats, playful cats, fat cats, jumping cats, lazy cats, sleeping cats, cute kittens