Colours
Distinguishing features
Size
- Up to 130 cm (TL) - applies to Commonly around 40cm.
Depth range
- From 0 m to 200 m
Synonyms
Comments
Snapper is one of the most popular food fishes in Australia, predominantly caught commercially by trap and line and are highly targeted by recreational fishers, both line and spear.
by Damon Bolton
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Inhabit rocky reefs. Also occur in estuaries. Juveniles mainly inhabit inlets, bays and other shallow, sheltered marine waters, often over mud and seagrass. Small fish measuring less than 30 cm TL are common inshore around reef areas often in groups of around 30 individuals. Larger fish are shy and are less frequently seen. Adults often live near reefs, but are also found over mud and sand substrates. They are relatively sedentary. However, tagging studies have shown them capable of substantial migrations. Crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, etc) form the basis of the diet, but marine worms, starfish, sea urchins, shellfish and fish are also important.
