Black and white snapper
| Black and white snapper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Lutjanidae |
| Genus: | Macolor |
| Species: | M. niger |
| Binomial name | |
| Macolor niger (Forsskål, 1775) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The black and white snapper, Macolor niger, is a species of snapper native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is an inhabitant of reefs, occurring in large schools along steeply sloping substrates at depths from 2 to 90 m (6.6 to 295.3 ft).[1]
The black and white snapper can reach a maximum length of 75 cm (30 in), though most do not exceed 35 cm (14 in).[1] Its fins and eyes are black and its body varies in color from light grey to black depending on age. Juveniles are typically striped, changing in complete black when adult. The black and white snapper is solitary when juvenile, but forms large schools as adults. They feed on crustaceans and small fishes.[1] It is sometimes confused with its congener, the midnight snapper, M. macularis.
Black and white snapper are prized as food fish and are caught commercially, as well as recreationally. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.[1]
