Red Emperor Snapper (Lutjanus sebae)

These fish occur around coral and rocky reefs, often in areas where there are adjacent sand flats. They are found in the Indo-West Pacific from the southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, and south to Australia.

Juveniles less than 6 inches long are common in near shore, turbid waters, in mangrove areas, or among both coastal and deeper offshore reefs and can also be found swimming amongst the spines of urchins in shallow coastal bays. They move to deeper waters as they grow larger but are often spotted moving into shallower water during the winter months.

Adults form schools of similar-sized individuals or are solitary. They like to feed on fishes, crabs, other benthic crustaceans and cephalopods and have been documented to reach lengths of over 3 feet in waters as deep as 550 feet.

They are a great aquarium fish with a curious, easygoing personality. We currently have 2 in our collection so you are bound to see them if you look for them.