High Fin Snapper (Asia Pacific)

Snappers are some of the best and most colorful fish for the large aquarium. They are usually non-aggressive with other large-bodied fishes but will greedily swallow whole any small or slender fish as well as all crustaceans including mantis shrimp. They do not harm corals, but may knock over lose decor with their strong tails. They will fight with their own kind but different species may be kept together. In time they may become real pets and recognize their owner.

Snappers feed by sucking in their food whole into their enormous mouths. They are carnivores and should be fed once a day a high quality diet of krill, silversides and chopped seafood. They are heavy feeders and thus strong filtration is necessary.

Few fish can compare with the dramatic High Fin snapper. It has a color scheme that just can't be beat: bright yellow with electric blue stripes along the body and bold orange bands over its face. Its dorsal fin sports several long filaments, especially when young, creating an impressive feathery appearance. As a juvenile it has a black stripe running from its eye to the tip of its caudal fin, but when mature this fades in favor of a black eyespot near the tail. Males and females are identical. The High Fin snapper grows up to 23.5 inches and requires an aquarium of at least 250 gallons.