Snappers belong to the Lutjaniden family which are typical perch like fish. Snappers earned the name from their hunting habits. They lie in wait for their prey and suddenly snap at exactly the right time. Snappers are predators and prefer to feed on small fish, crustaceans, worms and prawns, but also occasionally eat plankton.
Snappers can reach a maximum length of one metre and weigh about 20 kilograms. Their maximum age is 21 years. However, there are also species whose life expectancy is significantly lower.
Characteristic of the snapper is its large mouth, enabling it to catch even larger prey than itself. Sharp teeth ensure that once the prey is caught it can not escape. Its head has a triangular shape and it has a fluted tail.
The most well-known species is probably the red snapper. Generally, all members of this family that have a red or brown body colour are called ‘red snapper’ although in Germany only the exact kind ‘Lutjanus malabaricus’ may be sold as ‘red snapper’ Red Snapper prefer to inhabit the rocky bottom of deeper waters, while their young tend to like shallower water with sandy ground.
