Emperor 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.

The Emperor snapper is a handsome fish with three wide deep crimson bands running over its body; one through the eye, another belted around its midbody, and one running through its dorsal fin and curving through the tail. The tip of its caudal fin is also red. The backdrop is stark white while young, becoming rosy pink when mature. Males and females are identical. The Emperor snapper grows up to 31.5 inches and requires an aquarium of at least 250 gallons.